(Hong Kong, China)- 78 boats representing 23 nations were on the start
line earlier today for the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club's most fun
regatta, the Nation's Cup which is as much about the activities on land
as it is about those on the water. Race Officer Sofia Mascia started
the fleet in an easterly wind ranging from 15 to 20kts from Hung Hom and
sent them eastwards through the Lei Yue Mun gap and then on to Shek O.
The race course saw boats then head to Cape Collinson where they rounded
a mark (TCS4) before going back to Shek O and then it was a dash
through the harbour to the finish line back at the Club.J/80 had very close sailing for all the national participants. With six nations represented amongst the eleven teams, it was pretty clear it was going to be a tough, closely fought race. With concentration and opportunistic use of wind lines and passing lanes being the order of the day, whomever was making the best of the wind holes and breeze was going to top the podium. In the end, after three-plus hours of sailing, the top five all finished with five minutes of each other with mere seconds separating most of them! Local Hong Kong sailor David Fan on SEA BISCUIT hung in to the bitter end, winning by a mere 30 seconds! Just behind was the Canadian team lead by Rob Tanner on EPEKWIT'K that took second. 50 seconds back in third was the Danish Team on J-CHI led by Inge Strompf-Jepsen. Rounding out the international top five were the Netherlands team on FOOTLOOSE led by the Dijkhuizen/ Sonnemans team taking fourth and in fifth was the Swedish team on HAKAWATI skippered by Dan Tullberg. For more Royal Hong Kong YC Nations' Cup sailing information
