Features
Tommy Bahama
Around The Island on Ichiban
Words Juliet Ashton
Photographer: Eileen Sze
PANACEA (1974 Pandora International) crew from left to right: Andy Maxwell; Thom Lonnen, Co-owner;
Douglas Waterston, HHYC P/T Instructor & Co-owner; and Alfred Okoth, HHYC Race Coach
Pandora
We had an early start at Hebe to catch the buffet breakfast at RHKYC before heading out
for an 8:30 start on Ichiban, a Beneteau First 40, for the Around The Island Race, 2013.
The weather was wet and windy. On the start line we reefed the main sail ready for the first
beat up the harbour towards the east with skipper Simon Jones at the helm. It was a great
scene of grey, leaden skies and large gusts making white caps fly across the water as we
made our start. The journey up the harbour was made more interesting by the variety of
boats making their way up wind. The Ruffians and Pandoras were battling hard with plenty
of spray over the decks. We were having our own battle easing out and hauling in the main
sheet and were glad to have plenty of crew on the windward rail.
(Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club)
Class
Boat
SailNo
Helm Name
Rating
Finished Time
Pandora
Panacea
180
Douglas Waterston
0.724
04:33:37
Pandora
Solstice
668
CHAIR Kui Wang
0.724
04:46:15
Pandora
Panache
167
Albert Yung
0.724
04:46:57
Pandora
Windfall
516
Tom Ho
0.724
DNF
Pandora
Hakuna Matata
150
Joseph Wong
0.724
DNF
Pandora
Pasisana
158
Gary Lau
0.724
DNF
Pandora
Panopae
159
Edmond Chan
0.724
DNF
Through the gap at Lei Yue Mun, tacking back and forth the wind
seemed to ease a little and as we bore away to a reach around
the east of the Island, we shook out the mainsail and had a fast
reach towards the corner at Cap D’Aguilar. We admired the skill
of the 29’er sailors racing across the large swell pushing on to
the beaches at Big Wave Bay and Shek O, and were glad to be
aboard Ichiban with our drinks and sandwiches.
Around the corner at Cap D’Aguilar, we prudently poled out the
head sail rather that put up the spinnaker. It was a great sight to
see other boats with their colourful sails charging down the swells.
It seemed all quiet once we got past Stanley and headed across
past Aberdeen and Cyberport. The sun also made an appearance,
and everything seemed calm again. This did not last long. Having
waved to Sara Houghton on the Fraser Doig Committee Boat at
Cyber Port, we watched the boats heading into the harbour beat
past Green Island. It was wind and game on again. To reef or not
to reef was the question.
The decision not to reef was made, and so we made our way out
into the full force of the wind and the boat picked up pace again.
Around the mark we went, and then across to Stone Cutters, past
the large American warship moored right on our track. There were
friendly shouts from the deck and a bell sounded as we passed,
avoiding an international incident.
The last beat up the harbour was tough, with large gusts and
plenty of boats to navigate through. It was a fantastic picture of
sails against the skyline of Hong Kong Island, and a great photo
opportunity for ferry passengers that day.
As we approached the finish line, we were glad for our full
mainsail as the wind lightened and headed us on the approach.
Crossing the line at 13:21, we celebrated our fastest ever Round
the Island Race—four hours and forty one minutes—and thanked
Simon for a great opportunity.
Having dropped off the HK Island crew, we returned to Hebe
Haven, motoring into the breeze via the gap between Tung Lung
Chau and Clearwater Bay Country Club. Mark was admiring
the right-hand wave barreling off the point for a future surf trip
as we aimed for the middle gap and headed into the swell. The
ride home was exhilarating as we were pushed by the following
seas. Once round Duck Rocks, Port Shelter lived up to its name
and we were back home for showers and dinner by six o’clock.
Congratulations to Simon and the Ichiban crew who collected
the trophy for placing 4th in HKPN 981-1070 Class. Thanks to
the RHKYC for a wonderful event.
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