Shortly after noon on April 4, 26 boats set sail from outside the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, Victoria Harbour, in fine weather competing in the Rolex China Sea Race 2012.
Recognised as Asia’s premier Category 1 Offshore race, many who were there said that it was the most exciting start to the event that they had seen. Impressive given that this year the China Sea Race celebrates its 50th Anniversary.
With wind gusting at around 17 knots at the start, one maxi and a mixture of 50 to 35 footers departed for the approximately 570 nautical mile journey to Subic Bay, Philippines, that takes up to four days.
There was quite a bit of excitement early on.
Maxi Genuine Risk tacked toward the north shore, but made a spectacular turn. On the return tack she was very close to some of the following craft, requiring some good sailing to negotiate a narrow path through them.
Going on to take an early lead, Genuine Risk is the yacht expected to cross the finish line first to win line honors.
Skipper and owner of the 2004-built Genuine Risk Geoff Hill has had first-hand experience of the race since 2004 and is confident his 90 footer will win line honors—especially since another maxi, Nicorette, withdrew.
Although acknowledging the other competitors, Hill regards the sea and weather as his main adversary. Easily outclassing the other boats, such optimism is understandable as maxis are built to race for line honours.