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UK Sailmakers Typhoon Series 2021, Race 8

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UK Sailmakers 2021 颱風盃帆船系列第八場比賽

The club flags ashore were barely fluttering. Crews waiting for sampans looked about anxiously for signs of a breeze. Would the forecast force 3 be blowing outside Port Shelter? Was it going to be a drifter, or worse, would Race 8 of the UK Sailmakers Typhoon Series 2021 on Sunday 15 August 2021 be abandoned? For some, perseverance would be rewarded; for others, it was going to be a long, tiring day.

The committee boat, Hebe One, came to rest between Shelter and Jin Islands and Race Officer (RO) Lesley Anderson and her management team got to work preparing for the islands' courses. In light drizzle, low cloud but excellent visibility, 47 boats appeared and made ready for their seven divisional starts.

For the nine IRC A boats, Course 51 was chosen. This took in Basalt Island (s), East Nine Pin (s), Bluff (s), Steep (s), a Ma Tsai Pai mark (p), Table (s) with a finish at Cascade Bay – an approximate distance of 23 nautical miles. The RO chose this course as it was one easily shortened, given the light conditions.

For IRC B, C, the three J/80s, HKPN A and Short-handed divisions, course 52 was selected – a distance of some 19 nautical miles. Marks of the course include Basalt Island (s), East Nine Pin (s), an Inner Port Shelter mark (p), Steep (s), Ma Tsai Pai Mark (p), Table Island (s), finishing at Cascade Bay. Again, this course would allow shortening at various points.

On schedule, IRC A got away at 1100 in an improved 5 knots from the south. The two TP52s, Alpha Plus and Phoenix, were soon heading for the horizon with Zannekin in hot pursuit.

Then came IRC B at 1105 in a slightly increased breeze. Outrageous had a cracking start with H30 not far behind. IRC C started five minutes later, with Talkinghead and Ding Dong getting a little close near the pin end.

岸上的旗幟垂下,等待舢板的船員翹首期盼風的到來。大家都 在擔心 3 號強風是否會出現在牛尾海?這次大家是不是只能 飄流於海面上?第 8 場比賽會臨時取消嗎?對一些人來說,堅 持會得到回報;對於其他人來說,堅持需要付出更多的體力和 精力才能完成賽事。

會船 Hebe One 停泊於牛尾海和吊鐘洲之間,賽事主任Lesley Anderson和她的團隊開始為環島賽程做準備。當天雲低細雨, 但能見度很好。是次比賽共7個組別,47艘船參加,他們已整 裝待發。

賽事管理團隊為 9 艘IRC A組船隻安排 51 號賽道。他們須經過 火石洲、東果洲、甕缸洲、青洲、孖仔排、平面洲,終點位於滘 西灣,全長約23海里。賽事主任之所以選擇這條賽道,是因為 航線能因應能見度情況彈性調整。

賽事管理團隊為 IRC B、C組、三艘 J/80級、HKPN A組和小型帆 船比賽,安排了 52 號賽道,全長約 19 海里。 他們須經過火石 洲、東果洲、內牛尾海、青洲、孖仔排、平面洲,終點位於滘西 灣。同樣,此航線能因應能見度情況彈性調整。

當日11時00分,風速達5節,IRC A 組在南面出發。兩艘TP52, Alpha Plus 和 Phoenix,在Zannekin 的窮追不捨下奮力駛向 目的地。

在11點05分,風速略略增強,IRC B 組賽事開始。Outrageous 開局不錯,H30 在其身後不遠處。五分鐘後, IRC C 組賽事 開始,Talkinghead 和 Ding Dong 非常接近尾銷。

Next up were the three J/80s at 1115, followed by HKPN A with Good Vibrations in clear air, followed by Crystal and LoTech closer to the committee boat as the breeze died to less than 3 knots. Minnie the Moocher hung back but later improved its position.

The sixth start was for the eight-strong HKPN B division. Foxzhead led the fleet in 3.5 knot winds, with Baby Beluga and La Vida Loca in close contention just off the line. The RO had chosen course 53 – a distance of 14 nautical miles – for these cruisers. They were headed for Bluff Island (s), Steep (2), Ma Tsai Pai Mark (p), Table (s) and a finish at Cascade Bay Mark. The unfortunate Ma Cherie 2e and regular campaigner Pepper & Salt did not comply with the 4-minute rule and were both scored DNS. Gecko looked to be OCS, but no objection came from the top deck of Hebe One.

Last away, at 1130, sailing course 52, was the single entry in the Shorthanded division, Miss LeVa.

As the boats sailed their respective courses, there were moments when the breeze, particularly near East Nine Pin, rose above 6 knots but, for most of the day, crews had to work hard to stay focused in the light airs. As the afternoon drew on, the breeze died even further, and many did not make it.

First home in IRC A at 14:31:40 was the TP52, Alpha Plus. The crew can be rightly proud of their line honours and 1st on handicap in the challenging conditions. Twenty-one minutes later, arch-rival Phoenix crossed to claim 2nd on handicap, with Zannekin 3rd. DEA III Fire did not finish and Rampage 88 retired.

Thanks to improved crew work, line and handicap honours went to H3O in IRC B. This put the MC31, now lying 4th overall in the series, in a favourable position for the final, Race 9. “We’re hoping for a triangular course to show what the boat can do,” said crewman Rowan. Now lying 1st in the series, Nightshift filled the 2nd spot with Kingsman 3rd and Kiasu! 4th. Juggerknot, with a long return journey home, retired early. So did Tipsy Easy.

Only three boats finished in IRC C. They were Dexter II, winning line and handicap honours, Blu in 2nd and Ding Dong in 3rd. Newcomer, Juice, a J/99, threw in the towel after five hours “Going around Steep was really a struggle. They could have finished the race at Table,” said helmsman Peter Baer.

All three J/80s retired.

In the HKPN A fleet, Bridget Chan and her determined crew on Minnie the Moocher stuck it out and finished at 18:02:30 to claim line honours and 2nd on handicap. Tim Ridley’s Scintilla, finishing at almost six-thirty, emerged victorious, while Jibulai placed 3rd and Temujin 4th. Eight boats retired.

The day was a lot less frustrating for the HKPN B boats sailing the 14nm course 53. The ever-enthusiastic La Vida Loca finished at 14:09:04 to claim line honours and 2nd on handicap. Baby Beluga came out tops on handicap with Foxzhead 3rd.

The only Short-handed entry, Miss LeVa, retired at 1516.

Sending boats out to the Nine Pins in light airs was a bold move despite the ‘options for shortening’. Some felt a finish at the Inner Port Shelter Mark should have been considered, while others questioned why Steep Island had to be rounded. Forty-seven boats entered, 18 retired. A test of patience, strength and endurance for all.

在11點15分,三艘 J/80級船隻出發,身後是 HKPN A組的Good Vibrations。接著是 Crystal 和 LoTech 緊追其後,當他們駛近會 船時,風力逐漸減弱至3節以下。Minnie the Moocher 因應情況 調整了自己的位置。

之後便是八隊參與的 HKPN B 組賽事。當時風速為3.5節, Foxzhead 保持領先,Baby Beluga 和 La Vida Loca 就在下線時 展開激烈競爭。 賽事主任該組安排了 53 號賽道,全長約 14 海 里。他們前往甕缸洲、青洲、孖仔排、平面洲,終點位於滘西 灣。可惜的是,Ma Cherie 2e 和 Pepper & Salt 沒有遵守賽規,未 能在 4 分鐘內啟航。 Gecko 看似有偷步的情況,不過賽事管理 團隊並無就此發出警告。

最後一組賽事是小型帆船組,只有一支隊伍 Miss LeVa 參加,於 11時30分開展,52號賽道上進行。

當天風速普遍偏低,在東果洲附近鮮有風速超過 6 節的時候。 在大部分時間,選手們不得不專心致志,靠僅存的微風航行。 到了下午,因風勢越來越弱,許多選手未能抵達終點。

在極具挑戰的條件下,IRC A組裡的衝線首名以及讓分排行榜首 名由 TP52,Alpha Plus 奪得,他們於 14:31:40 完成賽事。 21 分鐘 後, Phoenix 完成賽事,於讓分系統排行榜排名第 2,Zannekin 排名第 3。DEA III Fire 沒有完成比賽,Rampage 88 則退出比賽。

IRC B組的MC31,H3O 因團隊協作改善, 獲得該組賽事的衝線 榮譽和讓分系統排行榜首名,這使他們在第 9 場賽事的排名 進一步提升,得出總成績排在第四名。「我們希望參加浮標賽 展示這艘船的能力」H3O的團隊成員 Rowan 如是說,他們在 第 8 場賽事排名第一,Nightshift 排在第二, Kingsman 第三和 Kiasu! 第四。 Juggerknot,花費太多時間在回程路上,未能完成 賽事因此退出。 Tipsy Easy 如是。

IRC C組只有三艘船完賽,他們是Dexter II,奪得衝線榮譽博 士和讓分系統排行榜首名;第二名則有 Blu 奪得,Ding Dong 第三名。 新隊伍 Juice 是 J/99級船隻,在參與賽事五個小時 後就認輸了。「在青洲的賽程對他們來說極具難度,原以為他 們可以在完成平面洲的賽程。」舵手 Peter Baer 說。J/80級別 的三隊選手未能完成賽事因而退出。

在 HKPN A 組裡,Bridget Chan 和她的 Minnie the Moocher 團隊成員堅持不懈,終於在18:02:30完成比賽,獲得衝線榮 譽。Tim Ridley 的 Scintilla 約在18時30分完成賽事,取得讓分系 統排行榜第一名, Minnie the Moocher 第二;而 Jibulai 排名第 三,Temujin 排名第四。當中有八艘船退出比賽。

在 HKPN B 組裡,這一天的賽果沒有那麼令人沮喪。該組別 需完成總長 14 海里的航行,被安排在 53 號賽道進行賽事。 熱情洋溢的 La Vida Loca 於 14:09:04 結束賽事,獲得了衝線 榮譽。Baby Beluga在讓分系統排行榜上位居第一;La Vida Loca 第二;Foxzhead 第三。至於小型帆船組別賽,唯一參賽 隊伍 Miss LeVa 於15時16分退出。

儘管賽事管理團隊能彈性調整賽程長短,他們還是讓選手在 風勢較弱的時候,前往果洲完成賽事,不得不說是一個大膽的 舉動。一部份人認為應該在內牛尾海內設置終點,一部份人則 質問為什麼要求選手一定要環繞青洲航行。是次賽事共四十 七艘船參加,十八艘退出。毫無疑問,這一次比賽考驗了所有 人的耐心、力量和韌性。

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