Racing to Vietnam

13 boats including Skandia to set off from Hong Kong tomorrow

After a three day warm-up of short courses in the China Coast Regatta, 13 competitors are making their final preparations for the start of the 656nm VinaCapital Hong Kong to Vietnam Race at 1200hrs Tuesday, Hong Kong time.

With the forecast predicting force 5-6 north to northeasterly breezes for the first 48 hours, Grant Wharington's 98ft Skandia could potentially reach Nha Trang within 36 hours, smashing Sam Chan's 1996 record of three days set on the 71ft ULDB Sled, Free Fire.

If winds soften, the smaller boats such as Neil Pryde's 47ft Hi Fidelity will be given a great opportunity to overtake the bigger boats on corrected time and, having finished the Regatta phase only one point adrift, Pryde could still overtake Wharington for the China Coast Race Week title.

Ffree Fire will be going all out to maintain their run of offshore successes after winning China Sea Race 2004 and Hainan Race 2003. Making a welcome return to Hong Kong, Mini-Transat campaigner Elaine Chua has taken a break in her training to and help them in their quest. She will be flying straight back down to Singapore after the race to take delivery of her brand new Mini Feng.

Also racing will be HSBC Johan III, helmed by Lawson Dixon and chartered by a crew of sailors based in Vietnam who are keen to see the sport grow in their adopted country. On board for his first racing experience and flying the title sponsor's flag will be VinaCapital executive and Vietnamese national, Le Hong Minh.

Entry list:

Boat Name	Sail No.	Skipper	Design	TCC
IRC
Ffree Fire	HKG1982	Sam Chan	ULDB Sled	1.351
Hi Fidelity	HKG1888	Neil Pryde	Welbourn 47	1.236
HSBC Johan III	HKG2000	Lawson Dixon	Farr 40	1.176
Mandrake	HKG2166	Burns / Kinmonth	Mills 50	1.283
Siren	HKG2199	Anthony Day	Sayer 13	1.187
Skandia	M10	Grant Wharington	Don Jones 98	1.601
Premier Cruising
Hocux Pocux 2	IVB612	Marcel Liedts	X612	1.247
Moonblue 2	CAY8888	Peter Churchouse	Warwick 64	1.256
Polar Star III	HKG2018	T.C. Leung	First 47.7	1.123
Shahtoosh	HKG1985	Peter Cremers	Warwick 55	1.168
HKPN
O'Feeling	HKG2008	Allen Fan		850
Tipsy Free	HKG1691	Leon Chan	First 45.5	875
Windseeker	HKG1198	John Blay	S&S 36	925