A total of 104 boats took part in the RHKYC Autumn Regatta on Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour, the first event of the 2012-13 yachting season. The regatta comprised three races for each of the 11 boat classes, one race on Saturday Sept 8 and two on Sunday Sept. 9.
Stormy Saturday
The weather was not kind for Saturday’s race. Although the morning looked very promising, at the start of the race there was a huge thunderstorm that persisted in staying over the venue. When that cleared, the wind dropped and boats found it very difficult to move. Not only that, at the eastern mark at Shau Kei Wan, the current was against the boats, making it difficult to get round the mark.
Such were the conditions that none of the Big Boat Div 3 boats finished the race, only three Sportsboats recorded scores, six of the Etchells could not finish the course and all but one of the Pandora’s struggled.
The Ruffian and Dragons on a different course all made the finish.
Even boats that finished found that there were other pitfalls lying in wait, mainly from protests from other boats for encroaching into “no-go” areas. Steve Bourne of Merlin explained the difficulties boats faced.
“Victoria Harbour is like a checkerboard and unless you are very experienced of the venue and regulations, there are likely to be protests against you by other boats,” Bourne told “The Epoch Times.”
Ricochet’s owner, Julie Mackenzie, was very surprised to be disqualified for encroaching into a no-go area.
“We were very careful in our positioning,” she explained to “The Epoch Times,” “but there was still a protest so we withdrew,” she added.
Sunny Sunday
Conversely, Sunday’s weather for Races 2 and 3 was almost perfect. Lovely sunny weather with a nice breeze and everybody enjoyed themselves immensely, although the weather was a bit hot for some of the competitors and dog mascots had to stay on dry land.
Life on the small media boat was perfect allowing good positioning for those who like photography and a wonderful view of the race. It was also interesting to see racing yachts dodging the ferries and cargo carriers. At one point a huge container ship ploughed eastwards sounding a very large horn.
