November 2011 eNews Hong Kong

Season opener in Hong Kong

The sailing season began in September and we have enjoyed some good early weather this year in two Harbour Series. All the Harbour Series races are named after the first batch of Etchells brought to Hong Kong in the 1970s and 1980s; and one series after our RHKYC patron and chief playwright and regular dramatist, Jimmy Farquhar.

Mind the Bumps (1344) (a boat aptly named in view of the racing history of the owners) took the first series of the year, the Cirrus Series, and the record shows that they did so mainly by turning up and competing! The Cirrus series was of six races and we chose to hold them all at the Eastern end of Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour, where the wind will be if there is an Easterly. Well, the wind has been there every Saturday during September and October and although we had three winners in six races (Ante Razmilovic sailing Swedish Blue (1333) took three firsts and three DNC), great racing was had by all, with some good performances on breezy days from some of the newcomers to the fleet and some of the newer helms.

Three races of the Appalachian series have been held at the time of writing. Our Vice Commodore, Joachim Isler took first in Shrub (912) followed by Mick McCool, Fidlers Green (1133) and Ante Razmilovic (1333). The race was held in more northerly winds with a big current flowing in the Harbour. In the second Nick Burns (1243) won and in the third, Chris Botsford (1190) returned to the fleet in some style with a very convincing win. Both races enjoyed moderate breezes.

We will be holding our Class Championships in late December this year, having had some difficulty finding a calendar slot at the normal time in February, or at the ideal time in November. We look forward to a good turn out at the course to the South East of Lamma Island, where we hold major regattas. On current form, and on the basis of expressed intentions, Ante Razmivolic and Mark Thornburrow intend to go to Sydney in 2012. We hope that one or two undecided owners may also enter.

Courtesy of Colin Smith, these are some good shots taken during the 3rd race of the Cirrus Series, at the Eastern end of Victoria Harbour.

By John Breen

Governor and Hong Kong Fleet Captain.