Hong Kong Classic Commences

China Coast Regatta got underway this weekend in near perfect conditions, with 15-18Kn easterly winds contributing to fast and exciting cruiser racing on the first day on Saturday.

The IRC fleet set off on a 28 nautical mile Island race to the East of Hong Kong Island before returning to the West side later in the afternoon.

One of IRC favourites Jelik, skippered by Frank Poing, had a main halyard problem which slowed them down for 20 minutes and therefore destroyed their chances of winning the race on corrected time. Jelik made a good recovery to take Line Honours however it was not enough to take IRC Racing Division A, which was won by Stella skippered by Fred Kinmonth. Sam Chan’s Ffree Fire took second over the line and second on corrected time.

In the HKPN fleet, sailing a shorter course, former RHKYC Commodore, John Leigh’s boat Johan II took both line honours, 3 hours, 23 minutes and 33 seconds, and first place on corrected time.

On corrected time, the results of the first race were as follows:

IRC Division A

HKPN