McWilliam triumphs

Yellow Dragon comes out on top in Hong Kong's Loro Piana Around The Island Race

Sunday November 23rd 2008, Author: Betty Chan, Location: United Kingdom
Less than ideal conditions did nothing this morning to dampen the enthusiasm of the 200 boats entered for the 2008 Loro Piana Around The Island Race. In a classic pursuit race, entrants departed Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour from Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club’s Kellett Island clubhouse, with staggered start times on two start lines to try and chase down their ‘slower’ rivals.

Even with a couple of OCS rulings and a few no-shows, the fleet still made an impressive sight making its way east through Lei Yue Mun Gap towards Cape D’Agiular and Shek O. With only 4-6 knots South Easterly on offer with a little more on the South side of Hong Kong Island, Race Officer Jimmy Farquhar elected to shorten the course for all classes at the Ap Lei Chau mark, just off the famous fishing port of Aberdeen. This proved to be an astute decision as the breeze dropped out to 4 knots.

Line Honours were claimed by local legend Sam Chan on TP52, Ffree Fire 52 but Chan was to be thwarted by the Longtze Premier of Thierry Barot, helmed by Jamie McWilliam, which triumphed on ATI corrected time. Hot on McWilliam’s yellow transom was Alberto Signorini of Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, sailing Magic 25 Good Vibrations, and claiming third place overall and a second place in the Sportsboat class.

As one of the Italian entries encouraged by event Sponsor, Loro Piana, Signorini was joined in the Sportsboats by Mr Pier Luigi Loro Piana (on Magic 25 It’s My Pleasure) and by Nicolo Reggio (on Magic 25 Black Magic) representing Yacht Club Italiano. In spite of the dearth of breeze, Mr Loro Piana enjoyed the event, commenting that the atmosphere of the event reminded him of sailing parties in Italy, and noting his pleasure in watching the development of the relationship between the Italian and Chinese Sailors.
It took over three hours to finish the remaining boats, with RHKYC Commodore’s wife, Suzanne Downes putting in a special performance with fourth overall, first dinghy and top lady helm. The final boat to cross the line was Scrumpy , whose team should really get an award for perseverance, after missing the finish line, only to spend another hour getting back into a position to cross it.

The Prizegiving will take place at RHKYC Kellett Island on Monday 24 November, with Mr Pier Luigi Loro Piana presenting the prizes. Sailors will also be treated to a presentation from two of Italy’s most prestigious Yacht Clubs after which there will be an exchange of Burgees between YCCS, YCI and RHKYC.

Top 10 results:

Sail Number Boat Name Skipper ATI Class Corrected ATI
NED810 Yellow Dragon Thierry Barot 1.050 SBR 3:10:35
HKG2238 Ffreefire 52 Sam Chan 1.334 IRC 3:27:16
HKG057 Good Vibrations Yacht Club Smeralda - Alberto Signorini 1.075 SBR 3:30:45
HKG3700 My Ffair Lady Suzanne Downes 0.834 FF15 3:33:41
HKG3830 Squiffy Howard Williams 0.834 FF15 3:34:59
1885 The Black Pig Mike Scantlebury 1.241 Hobie Tiger 3:43:08
HKG1046 Mango Jam Tom Sheppard 0.963 Etchells 3:44:07
HKG3046 Sky's The Limit Gideon Mowser 0.935 SBR 3:44:20
HKG3701 Puff 'N Stuff David Chow 0.834 FF15 3:44:26
HKG3604 Ffolly Martin Heath 0.834 FF15 3:45:26

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