Hebe Jebes 2015 Issue Mar/Apr | Page 36

CRUISING CRUISING On 29 November we held the inaugural Dusk ‘til Dawn island race. Yachts competed to record the fastest lap of Kau Sai Chau between 07:00 and 15:00 hrs for prizes of Mount Gay ‘Hebe Tee’ rum kettles. The keenest racing crews completed multiple laps while other more relaxed entrants completed only one circuit. Start and finish times were self recorded by photographing a GPS and Whatsapp-ing the photos to the race officer. We had great winds which blew from 15–20 knots, making for some exciting reaches through Rocky Harbour. to put together a highly entertaining day of sailing challenges and merriment. Sailing instructions were collected at the bar and, as usual, participants ended up at Yau Ley Restaurant for lunch, a quiz and prizes of wine. While the skies were overcast, it was a breezy day—perfect for sailing and luckily we escaped the rain that fell on Christmas Day. The overall winner was X-Terminator who managed to complete all the boat handling challenges. Other boats participating included Ichiban, Eclipse, Top Kat and Ate and everyone was greatly impressed and entertained by the enthusiastic delivery of the crew song competition. First prize went to Ichiban with 1.33.35 on HKPN corrected time, second place to Goddess with 1.48.08 and third place to Modesty Blaise with 1.52.35. The prizegiving was held on the Victoria Recreation Club’s (VRC) beach at Emerald Bay and the prizes were rapidly consumed on the spot, followed by an informal self-catered BBQ. Some boats weaved their way home after dark, while others stayed overnight to enjoy breakfast the next morning at the VRC. This event will become a regular fixture in the sailing calendar so mark your diaries for 28 November 2015 if you want to join the fun next year. On New Year’s Day members gathered for a grand day out on Hap Mun beach for the HHYC annual New Year’s Day beach BBQ. The skies were blue and the sun shone. Over 10 boats sailed to the beach, while members and guests without boats took advantage of the Club’s free ferry service on the Fraser Doig. There was keen participation in the fun and games on the beach. Some braved the water for a New Year’s Day swim, others joined in the beach games including a three-legged race, egg throwing competition, egg and spoon, etc. The traditional tug of war was hard fought with—at one point—42 people a-heaving and of course everyone enjoyed the beach BBQ. 13 December also saw the first Commodores’ Christmas Cup. This was a joint club event between HHYC, RHKYC, ABC and DBYC organised by the COA and comprising four simultaneous pursuit races starting in Port Shelter, Hong Kong Harbour, Middle Island and Datum Rock converging at Chesterman Buoy. This was then followed by a common second leg around Castle Rock finishing at Round Island. We had a fresh breeze, blowing up to 20 knots, but nice flat seas which made for some great sailing. Twelve boats entered and Eagles Quest carried off first prize for division C, Dolphin Six for division D and Lady Butterfly took first prize for the common second leg (all divisions). The prizegiving was held on the beach at South Bay followed by an informal self-catered BBQ. This event will take place again this year, probably on 12 December, so watch www.coahk.org for details. Boxing Day saw the annual HHYC Treasure Hunt organised by Cathy Delany-Hobbs, who managed 34 Hebe jebes • mar/apr 2015 The next big cruising event is the Chinese New Year Macau Race from 19–21 February, which will have already taken place by the time you read this. This time we will be mooring up on the newly built pontoons at Fisherman’s Wharf, which will put us right in the middle of the action for the Chinese New Year celebrations in Macau. Should be a marathon party weekend!. This year HHYC are also planning more ‘Sailaway’ days in