Following hot on the heels of the successful Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Rugby Sevens tournament, the RHKYC boatyard and docks were buzzing with activity with crews loading provisions and gear.
The reason? Thursday, April 1 saw the start of the Rolex China Sea Race.
This year is the 25th edition of the Rolex China Sea Race, which was first run in 1962, and has been held every two years since then. In 1972, it was officially recognised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club, and is now run under their prescriptions. The race has continued to attract increased interest and serves to draw the international yachting fraternity to Hong Kong and Southeast Asia .
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The sea gods came to the party sending the Rolex China Sea Race fleet off in a light southeasterly breeze and a fair tide towards the finish off Subic Bay, Philippines, 565 miles distant.
Earlier in the day, it was not so promising, but the breeze eventually filled in and the fog burned off to produce a colourful start just off the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club in Victoria Harbour . The 30-boat fleet started in a 6-8 knot breeze, which increased as the bigger boats approached Shek-O rock. This year, all divisions went off in one start, providing a spectacle with Hong Kong ’s towering buildings providing a dramatic backdrop.
The Rolex China Sea Race fleet set off from Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour (Pic:Rolex/Daniel Forster)
All you armchair-sailors out there will be happy to know that Pole Star and SkyWave have joined forces to provide a web-based tracking facility for the event. Shore-based fans can follow the racing online at:
www.rhkyc.org.hk/chinasearace/tracking.htm
(Pictures courtesy of RHKYC/Rolex/Daniel Forster)
