Rolex China Sea Race 2024 - sailing in first class

Moonblue 2 - Rolex China Sea Race © RHKYC / Guy Nowell

Offshore racing is a test of skill and endurance, and sometimes courage, with competitors facing challenging and changing conditions as they navigate their way across blue water. Unpleasant experiences can quickly put off new sailors, and cruiser-racers provide an option for those sailors who prefer a more comfortable and enjoyable ride across the China Sea than the die-hards in the Racing division.

Moonblue 2 Peter Churchouse and his Custom Warwick 64, Moonblue 2, have been back and forth across the China Sea umpteen times in the last 20 years. Moonblue 2 has appeared on the podium numerous times, but an Overall win has eluded her. Her more 'natural' habitat is plying Hong Kong's own local clipper route: Kellett Island to Po Toi. This year Moonblue 2 carries a diverse mix of "experienced vigour and youthful energy". Joining veteran offshore sailors Peter Churchouse, John Binks (Navigator), Inge Strompf-Jepsen (Radio Operator) and Drew Taylor are first time competitors Rachel Yip and Jano Amanay (first time joining this race but a master of the Atlantic) along with regular sailors, Mark Salvador, Laurence McDonald, Daniel De-mare, and Luke Van der Kamp. The team, who call themselves infamous ‘Po Toi Runners’, have revealed that their main concern in advance of the race is "the unfamiliar action of continuing south once past Shek O Rock instead of continuing straight onwards to Po Toi. Once we have overcome this shock and uncomfortable break from procedure, the crew can expect some fine sailing, hearty meals, excellent banter and if lucky, the occasional sundowner as a reward for a day well sailed.”

Swan 56 Parnassus - Rolex China Sea Race 2023 - Day 2 - photo © RHKYC / Guy Nowell

Parnassus 2023 was the first year of offshore racing for Parnassus under her current ownership, resulting in a 12th place overall. The boat was acquired during the Coronavirus pandemic from Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, with the new owner having never set eyes on the boat. The restart of the Rolex China Sea Race in 2023 incentivised the crew to team up and take on the fitting out and training required to participate in the Cat1 race and get out there. A crew of 12, including RHKYC Commodore Lucy Sutro, joined Parnassus for the 2024 race. With representatives from Hong Kong, England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Belgium, New Zealand, Singapore, and the USA this is truly an international crew. Ranging in age from 20 to 68, three of the team are undertaking their first offshore race. With the great personal friendships existing between the owners and crew of Moonblue 2 and Parnassus, combined with similar IRC ratings, friendly rivalry was born between the two teams in 2023. Thomas Attenborough, owner of the Swan 56 said, “Parnassus has high hopes of turning the tide in 2024... there were fewer than 33 minutes (elapsed) between the two boats in the 2023 edition!”

The Rolex China Sea Race 2024 starts in Hong Kong on 27 March, and takes the fleet 565nm across the South China Sea to Subic Bay in the Philippines.

https://www.rolexchinasearace.com/