|
Bright and breezy is what we wanted, and bright and breezy is what we got! Actually, gusting 35 knots was probably more than we needed, but it certainly grabbed our attention for Sunday’s protracted beat to finish - but I’m getting ahead of myself.
This was the fifth Tsing Ma Regatta, which is gaining in popularity all the time. However, with a forecast of Force 6 offshore and wet, dreary weather throughout the preceding week, excuses were flying thick and fast. Twelve boats eventually entered, with ten making the start line for Saturday’s race from Discovery Bay to the Gold Coast.
The start was delayed while the Race Officer, Andy Küng, aboard the committee boat ForPlay, set up well to the south. This allowed space for the windward start in the unusual northerlies, but still seemed to catch some boats on the hop, with only three actually on the line at the gun. The ensuing beat extended the fleet further, as they rounded Peng Chau. From there the boats stretched their legs into a lazy reach to Kau Yi Chau. Initially this allowed MissBehave just enough room for a pinched reach under spinnaker, but the wind veered steadily heading all except Arconia, sailing a higher course to allow for her chute later in the leg.
This header also forced most of the boats wide around Kau Yi Chau, leaving them well down-tide as the wind began to die. Half of the fleet obviously hadn’t seen the tidal predictions for the Ma Wan Channel (or didn’t believe them) because that’s where they stayed - riding the ebb. Ichiban from second place, ended up pointing at Central; Roger the Cat parked and had lunch. Others tacked immediately, tight under the Lantau coast and beat slowly up the south side of the channel. Very slowly, as the fleet were now becalmed, despite the forecast of Force 6 - this was Hong Kong sailing, after all…
The calm lasted a frustrating 50 minutes (long enough to sucker Rigel into entering the Motoring Division), but it seemed longer. The breeze started to fill in again from the north, just as the slackening tide allowed the fleet to the bridge. There followed a beam reach to CP2 then a fine reach (for some, a beat for others - that pesky tide again to finish off the Gold Coast.
Fosters sponsored the very welcome dockside beer as the fleet arrived, followed by an excellent buffet dinner and prize-giving courtesy of the Gold Coast Yacht and Country Club. Marina Manager, Mike Franco awarded the prizes, including Line Honours to MissBehave, 1st on handicap to Shockwave (at 22’ the regattas smallest boat) and the Rear End Trophy to Capriccio for demonstrating the upside-down spinnaker set. OK, it was the boys first time on a borrowed boat, but that’s what makes these things worth watching…
The wind blew up overnight, strong NNE’ly, so Sunday’s start was moved south of the shipping lanes to allow a windward beat to the first mark, CP2. However, the wind strength was varying considerably at the warning signal and sails were being adjusted constantly up to the start - some reefed, some not.
A Fishing boat caused havoc at CP2, trawling through the fleet and letting MissBehave away in a clear lead. After the mark, the bridge could be laid on a fine reach, but not allowing any room for boats to head off in the gusts - now coming thick and fast. Many chose to tack early, into the ebb tide. Others delayed, hoping for a lift and cleaner air. All met at the Ma Wan Channel and enjoyed the 3 knot current as they shot through towards Kau Yi Chau.
MissBehave led convincingly from the bridge toward Hei Ling Chau and seemed satisfied with her 9 kts goose-winged, or perhaps her skipper was over-ruled as 36 knot gusts were recorded. What do they say about downwind being the most dangerous point of sail?
Shockwave and Capriccio popped their chutes a couple of times then decided against. Arconia set hers at the bridge, jibed wide round the hole in the lee of Kau Yi Chau, then looked back to see Rigel charging after them, also effortlessly goose-winged with full main and genoa set. It hardly seemed fair!
Arriving at the Hei Ling Chau typhoon shelter, it was quickly apparent that the wild downwind leg had come at a price. With a four mile beat to finish, it was only a question of how little sail the boats could muster and still make to windward, versus how much heel the crew would accept without squealing like stuck pigs. Needless to say, each boat arrived at their own compromise…
A spot of drama developed aboard Roger the Cat at this stage, as they lost one of their dagger boards whilst fast approaching the lee shore of Silvermine Bay. With her new mainsail heavily reefed she was difficult to tack anyway, but this seriously compounded the problem. Racing or no, with his young family on board, Andy quickly reached for the engine, only to find the propeller fouled by a fishing net! Frantic hacking cleared the prop and saved the day.
Only the husband and wife team aboard little Yellow Bolero rounded the typhoon shelter, saw the conditions and said "No, I don’t think so!", or words to that effect. They dropped sail and motored straight to the finish - a sound decision.
On average, only a 3½ hour race, but the arrival beer (courtesy of Cerveza Sol) was particularly welcome after the previous hour’s exertions. The war stories seemed strangely out of place in the calm of the marina, though, so the crews adjourned to the headland overlooking the breezy approaches. There the prize-giving was held, with prizes sponsored by the Discovery Bay Marina Club, Igors Group (Stormy Weather, The Boathouse and Wildfire restaurants), Fragrant Harbour magazine and Cervesa Sol.
MissBehave had again taken Line Honours (we really need to get her some competition next time, Rigel was 1st on handicap and winner of the handsome Taipan Trophy for first wooden boat, and Roger the Cat the Rear End Trophy for her drama off Mui Wo. The overall competition was very tight, with only 2 points separating the first four boats and MissBehave beating Shockwave (the two extremes of the fleet) to first place by only ¾ of a point.
There were prizes enough for all, though. To Cooinda and Capriccio for first time out; Sabi Star for dogged persistence; Birria as official event photographer; and Yellow Bolero for the Cheng’s unreserved support of the DBYC events - in all weathers...
Last but not least, a vote of thanks to the support boats ForPlay, Mo Mun Tai, Rhianna, Rock ‘n Roll and Speedster, with all the support crews, for their assistance and top-cover in difficult conditions.
Without the support of the sponsors mentioned above and the assistance of the support vessels and their crews, these events would not be possible.
Watch this space for the dates of the next Tsing Ma Regatta in the spring!
|
Full details of the race results - available in MS Word Format (Download)
Click here for more photos from the latest Tsing Ma Regatta, with more being added all the time...
.gif)
