HKSF International Dinghy Regatta 2008

by Richard Knight on 19 Aug 2008 There was no hiding from the blazing sunshine as shifty southwesterly winds blew across the race area on the first two days of the annual HKSF International Regatta. These conditions made the going tough at times but on the final day of racing the wind shifted to the south, and near-perfect conditions allowed the regatta to be completed in good time.

The annual regatta took place more than a month earlier than normal and while some boats missed out it didn't deter over 60 dinghies entering. Competition was fierce in both the Open and Optimist Divisions with entries from China, Philippines, Taiwan and Singapore joining sailors from Hong Kong.

In the Open Division it was the 470's and 420's that performed well on handicap with boats from the Philippines claiming the top three places overall. Ridgely Balladares and Rommel Chavez dominated the Open Division in their 470 with four wins out of nine and counting results no higher than 4th to take the overall win. Marjoe Laud and Lester Troy Tayong came in second sailing a 420 also with four race wins. Rafael Buitre and Richly Magsanay picked up third in another 470. Eva Leung Yuen Wa and Elsie Cheng Sze Kei were the first Hong Kong boat, taking fourth overall in their 470.

Cheung Mei Hang and Andy Service were the first of three 29ers and finished in 5th overall. With only marginal planing conditions during the regatta it was difficult for the skiff class to get far enough ahead of the 'slower' boats. However, when they did, it put pressure on some classes in the same Division to finish within the 15 minute time limit.

Eliza Ling Suet Fung and Leung King Chi from STA finished 6th overall and were the second 420. Kwan Wing Ho and Lam Wing Chun from Hong Kong Sea School picked up 7th overall and third in the 420 class. Kwan and Lam would have been pleased with their win in race two, showing good potential for the future.

It was then the turn of the Lasers as they struggled to perform well on handicap, often caught in the wind shadows of the faster boats off the start and sometimes forcing them away from the favoured tack. Joel Mejarito from the Philippines was the first Laser in 12th position overall. Mike Halkes and Fabio Barbosa both from the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club took 2nd and 3rd.

In the Optimist Division there was plenty of close racing and some congestion on the start line as all the sailors fought for the favoured end in each and every race. Erica Leung from the STA took first place with three race wins and a string of consistent results never out of the top 4 which gave her a comfortable winning margin. In second place was Kikabhoy Rafeek and Kelvin Kwok took 3rd also from STA. Nagisa Sakai from HHYC took third and Chan Ka Hei from Hong Kong Sea School was 5th.

The next Open dinghy regatta in Hong Kong will be hosted by the Aberdeen Boat Club on the first weekend of September (see www.theabc.org.hk for info). It will be a great chance for Hong Kong sailors to tune up against each other before the Laser and Optimist Nationals take place in November on the south side of Hong Kong Island.

Full results at www.sailing.org.hk