China Coast Race Week 2011

by RHKYC on 11 Jul 2011 From 14 to 25 October, China Coast Race Week (CCRW) will offer competitors a taste of the complete Asian sailing experience.

In the words of Joachim Isler (RHKYC Vice Commodore and co-owner of Mills 41 Ambush); 'CCRW is without question the region’s best regatta: top notch competition, fantastic race track, normally ideal weather conditions and excellent regatta management, hosted by RHKYC with its superb facilities in one of the world's most amazing cities.'

Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club’s flagship inshore ‘Big Boat’ event, China Coast Regatta, will be followed by the 656nm Offshore Category 1 VinaCapital Hong Kong to Vietnam Race, postponed from 2010 due to the antics of Super Typhoon Megi.

2008 winner and regular competitor, Neil Pryde, describes the Race as; '..one of the great Ocean races, combining an exhilarating downhill slide with a very interesting tactical challenge that unfolds as the fleet approaches the Vietnam coast …the race that nobody wants to miss'.

With racing based in the waters to the south of Hong Kong Island, China Coast Regatta will be held from 14 to 16 October, typically enjoying a 15 to 20 knot easterly breeze. Open to keelboats over 9m in length and attracting 40+ entries, the regatta will feature the demanding combination of windward/ leeward and islands courses which has garnered the accolade of 2011 Best Asian Regatta from Asian Marine and Boating Awards.

Regarded as a 'sailors’ regatta' due to the physical and tactical demands of the series, the sailing is coupled with plenty of on–shore social events, based at RHKYC’s Kellett Island and Middle Island facilities, the latter being recently expanded with the construction of a new hardstand.

In recent years the ’40 footer’ Division has developed to be the largest and most competitive in Asia, while for the grand prix boats, China Coast Regatta serves as the springboard to the 2011-2012 Asian Circuit. A large number of visiting crew is expected to come just for the sailing, and overseas entries will be made especially welcome.

The offshore element of Race Week starts in Hong Kong on 19 October and promises a downhill adrenalin rush all the way to Nha Trang, Vietnam, with boats regularly clocking 20+ knots of boat speed - the 2004 record of 42h 45m 41s, set by Grant Wharington on Skandia, remains the target time for others to beat.

The entry form and Notice of Race for China Coast Race Week, comprising China Coast Regatta and the VinaCapital Hong Kong to Vietnam Race, are available to download from the event website, www.chinacoastraceweek.com