Features
Mature Hebe Haven–based Pandora
has fantastic success in the ATIR on
her maiden outing
The recent RHKYC Around The Island Race event took place
on a very windy Sunday in mid-November. Yachts and sailors
from Hebe Haven managed the challenging conditions well. Two
notable results include Mark and Dion Houghton and crew, who
came second in the sports boats class in very fast time, and
Dougie, Alfie, Tom and Maxi in the little Pandora, Panacea in her
first Around The Island Race outing, not only winning her class
but also setting a new record for the Pandora Class.
Here are the skipper’s notes from the race:
Panacea
1974 Pandora International
Crew
Douglas Waterston HHYC P/T Instructor & Co-owner
Alfred Okoth
HHYC Race Coach
Tom Lonnen
Co-owner
Andy Maxwell
Built 39 years ago in Lowestoft, Panacea’s first competitive
outing was always going to be a challenge for us, but we were
thinking mainly along the lines of getting around the course within
the time limit. Of course, we thought it would be nice to join the
six Pandoras that are regular racers at RHKYC.
It was obvious that the day’s weather would be challenging,
yet the inner start line was hiding the true conditions. With the
gusts seriously overpowering us just after the start, we were soon
ducking for cover by the Eastern expressway to swap the big
genoa for our tired (and maybe original) No.1 jib, hoping it was
viable to continue.
Lei Yue Mun came next, giving us significant wind shifts, holes
and nasty gusts to contend with. Luckily it was not too manic as
it could have been interesting with the big boats converging on
the gap at the same time!
After taking a little time to relax and deal with the flooded engine
locker, we headed on towards Shek O and were passed by Solstice
(another Pandora) who was hugging the coastline.
The continuing big gusts blew away any fleeting thoughts of
getting the spinnaker out on the downwind leg, so we opted for a
more manageable approach and put the genoa back up. This gave
us an excellent controlled reach past Stanley and Ap Lei Chau.
The familiar sight of Fraser Doig looking after the Cyberport gate
ahead also helped to warn us of the katabatic gusts that were
rounding up Solstice and other competitors ahead. Alfie kept us
right though, keeping good speed and direction through the gusts.
As we passed Green Island, we could see the boats ahead
struggling with conditions and made a last minute decision to get
back down to the No.1 jib, with Tom and Maxi seemingly enjoying
the soaking they got at the bow! The alternative may have been
soaking all of us in a broach or two.
It was a tough beat through the harbour, working hard to keep
speed in the chop and gusts. Seeing the remaining two Pandoras
(Solstice and Panache) getting closer spurred us on. We slowly
overtook them by the time we passed the Macau Ferry Terminal.
Now we were on the home stretch. HHYC members Steve and
Declan on Aura were very happy to see us still out on the water,
but less pleased at us sneaking past them at Star Ferry. This
encouragement helped when we found the only dead spot of the
day right at the line. Eventually we got over, taking the gun and a
Pand ora Class lap record of 6.17:55.
So much fun; do we really have to wait a whole year for the next
Around the Island Race? I expect when it does come around, it
may be rather more sedate.
A Panacea from a box of Pandoras
Words Doug Waterston
46 Hebe jebes • Jan/Feb 2014
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