Feature | St. Regis China Coast Regatta While DRO Sofia Mascia was finishing Cruiser and HKPN, StrompfJepsen decided not to keep the racers hanging around and promptly set them off on their final race, an islands course around Beaufort and beyond of 21nm for Racer 0, 17nm for Racer 1 and 16nm for Racer 2. It was then the turn of the Premier and Cruiser Divisions to embark on their final race, with Premier on a 17nm course and an 11nm route for Cruiser. The final start of the regatta for HKPN went smoothly then race management was heartily relieved to lift the anchor and head for more sheltered waters at the finish line near Round Island. The conditions were perfect for sailing, but also came with challenges, as many boats found out as they experienced gear failure of one sort or another. Ambush radioed in to report that she had lost her steering, but was able to fix a tiller and motor back to Kellett Island, while Signal 8 carried out an impromptu double-man-overboard drill which probably cost them the regatta. The three guns given to the first three boats to reach the finish line, having completed different courses, were a testament to the RO’s course setting skills. Redeye was first boat home, completing a perfect score for the regatta in Cruiser Division and discarding a 1 in the process, while Seawolf claimed yet another gun, followed by Jelik in Racer 0.
OneSails Racing left that division title in no doubt as she coasted home just 20 seconds ahead of FreeFire to take first on corrected and the IRC Racer 0 title by 4 points. Seawolf was delighted to win her race on IRC, however had to be content with 2nd overall in Racer 2, behind Red Kite II, who claimed the IRC Racer 2 title for the fourth successive year. Island Fling again showed her speed on the water to take the gun for Racer 1, however Elektra finished two minutes ahead of arch–rival Walawala 2 to take the regatta title for Racer 1 by 1 point. Moonblue 2 took her second double for the day, however Shawn Kang’s Lighthorse edged the Warwick out by one point to take her first-ever China Coast Regatta title for Premier Division. Barracuda, one of the China entries, took the gun in HKPN, much to their delight, however Pepper & Salt claimed the win on HKPN, and completed a perfect regatta, also discarding a first. All-in-all there was a great buzz in the bar back at Kellett Island, with sun-burned, wind-burned, grizzled sailors claiming it was the best China Coast Regatta they could remember in years. A packed poolside prizegiving gave everyone the chance to applaud their rivals, before the tale-telling went on long into the night.
The Club would like to thank its sponsors, in particular Title Sponsor St. Regis and partners IP Global and GAC Pindar, for helping make the 2013 St. Regis China Coast Regatta a great success. The Club is also grateful to Mount Gay as Official Regatta Rum and Heineken as Official Regatta Beer for helping make the parties go with a swing, and also thanks day sponsor UK Sailmakers and official media partners Prestige, Sail-World.com and Yachtstyle for their continued support.
The Club would like to thank the China Coast Race Week race committee consisting of Russ Parker (Chairman – China Coast Regatta), Geoff Hill (Chairman – Hong Kong to Vietnam Race), Nigel Reeves (Chief Scrutineer), Jamie McWilliam and Mark Phillips for giving up their time to help plan and execute China Coast Race Week 2013. In addition, the Club is indebted to Inge Strompf-Jepsen (Race Officer), Sofia Mascia (Deputy RO), Lucy Sutro (ARO), John Breen (Mark Layer and ARO) and Ralph Wainer (AML) for organising great racing over the course of the St. Regis China Coast Regatta. Thanks also to Simon Boyde (Race Officer) and Louise Connolly (Deputy RO) for setting a perfect Harbour Start for the Audi Hong Kong to Vietnam Race.
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| DECEMBER 2013 AHOY!