Skandia edges ahead

Australian maxi enjoys big breeze on day two of the China Coast Regatta

With a constant 20-25 knot ENE breeze, plenty of reefs were in evidence for day two of China Coast Regatta.

In contrast to yesterday’s starts, which could almost have been described as tentative, Grant Wharington’s Skandia started all three races from the front and was rewarded with a 1, 1, 2 scoreline for the day and first place overall before discard.

Neil Pryde’s Hi Fidelity was also handling the conditions well, returning 3, 2, 1 for the day and taking third place in the overall results. Frank Pong’s Jelik currently shares the top spot with Wharington, however lies second after countback, having been unable to overhaul the super maxi on corrected time.

In IRC B Overnight repairs and a scavenged rig allowed Lowell Chang’s Dexter to rejoin the fleet, recording a 4, 3, 4, however performer of the day was RHKYC’s first lady Commodore, Inge Strompf Jepsen, who claimed a 2, 1, 3 on her X-99, Fox in Soxs and second place overall behind fellow X-99 Getafix. Good results were also recorded by Hebe Haven Yacht Club Rear Commodore, Gault Rice, taking Sigma 38 Struan to 3, 2, 2 and third place overall.

It was an ‘expensive’ day for competitors: Outrageous retired during race three with a failed traveller and Mandrake was forced retire from race four after blowing both kites - emergency delivery of a spare enabled her to compete in race five. Skandia blew her spinnaker in the middle of a run, while Paul Bankowski’s Kerr 11.3, Jaywalker trashed her spinnaker in a spectacular broach on the finish line. Struan’s Drumstick, Moonblue 2 and Relax all ripped mainsails but the overnight sail repair service laid on by UK sails should ensure that the 25 damaged sails are back in action for Day 3 - the boys on Skandia are taking no chances and will be carrying out their own repairs.