China Coast Race Week at Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club: Early signs of an exciting regatta

Karl Kwok's trimaran MOD Beau Geste at the 2018 Rolex China Sea Race © RHKYC / Guy Nowell

The 2018 edition of the China Coast Regatta is already showing all the hallmarks of an exciting one to watch, with early entries from Karl Kwok's MOD Beau Geste and Seng Huang Lee's Orma 60 SHK Scallywag Fuku. The Orma 60 is the newest acquisition of Seng Huang Lee's team who recently completed the 2017-2018 Volvo Ocean Race. SHK Scallywag Fuku (previously Team Australia) holds the WSSRC record of 1d 5h 52m 23s between Sydney and Hobart with top speeds of 39.6kts and with MOD Beau Geste reaching top speeds of 37kts in the recent Rolex China Sea Race. Both crews will be executing some swift manoeuvres as they accelerate around the race track and rival each other for line honours.

Joining the IRC Racer 0 division is China's Ark323 a TP52 owned by Jacky Qiu. Ark323's crew is made up of all-Chinese sailors from a variety of sailing backgrounds and experience; from windsurfers to dinghies and keelboats. Ark323 will race against TP52 Free Fire owned by Sam Chan and Shawn Kang's Ker 46+ Lighthorse Alpha Plus which took 2nd and 3rd in the 2017 event. With two-time IRC 0 winner Marcel Liedts' Zannekin unable to attend this year's regatta due to boat repairs, there will be hot contention for the trophy.

China Coast Regatta 2017 - photo © RHKYC / Guy Nowell

2018 marks the 26th edition of the regatta which was established in 1993. The event will be based out of the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club's Middle Island clubhouse; with sailors competing in a variety of windward/leeward and geometric and island courses. Competing yachts can expect the best of Hong Kong's sailing conditions; with winds of 10 to 20kts, blue skies, warm friendly waters and great parties.

Once the regatta wraps up a portion of the fleet will persevere on the 390nm downwind passage in the Hong Kong to Hainan Race. The current record is an impressive 23h 31m 52s and was set in 2016 by Seng Huang Lee's other boat a 100ft Super Maxi Scallywag.

To learn more about China Coast Race Week, please visit the website at: www.chinacoastraceweek.com

To enter, please follow this link: www.topyacht.com.au/db/kb/958

China Coast Regatta - Entry List

  Hong Kong to Hainan Race - Entry List