Photo by Alan Siu

Still grey, but day 2 of the Total Lubmarine Asia Pacific China Coast Regatta offered up a fabulous 20-25 knots for the IRC fleets, which turned out in numbers for a trio of Windward / Leeward courses while the HKPN fleet looked forward to a Geometric and an Islands course.

With Race Officer Jimmy Farquhar setting a six-leg course for all IRC divisions, boats, gear and crew were tested to the limit as the boats gybed, tacked, and broached around the course. As expected, 'Jelik' headed the fleet for IRC A, with 'Ffree Fire 52' and 'Mandrake' following in her wake, the Juan K designed Reichel Pugh making short work of the course to take Line Honours and first place on corrected time. Spare a thought for Adam Ng on 'Microlab Moonlight Shadow' (ex-Yendys), who retired with rudder problems and missed the remainder of a great day's sailing.

For the second race of the day, which started in 20 knots, softening to 16, 'Ffree Fire 52' edged out 'Jelik' on corrected time in Div A with 'Strewth' taking IRC Premier Cruising ahead of 'Moonblue 2'. 'Mistress Margarita' missed the gun, but edged 'Jaywalker' and 'Stella' out on corrected time. In IRC C, 'Impala 1' cruised through to take second ahead of 'Sex Drive' with 'Sai Kung Belle' in first place.

The final race for the IRC fleets was another Windward/ Leeward course, with a 15-18 knot breeze throughout - 'Jelik' recorded her second win of the day in IRC A, with 'Strewth' claiming IRC Premier Cruising and 'Mistress Margarita' strengthening her bid for IRC B with another first.

Information form Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club

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