Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club
China Coast Race Week 2003
Goto Related Articles: CCRW and Hainan Race Reports 2001 2002 2006

***** Hainan Race Summary

"A downhill slide, full of gybes" was how one crew member described the finale of 2003 China Coast Race Week which started at 1200hrs on Tuesday 04th November in Hong Kong and finished with line honours for Frank Pong's new "Jelik" in Sanya, Hainan. Victory on corrected time, however, belonged to Sam Chan and his crew on "Ffree Fire" who finished just over 2 hours and 40 minutes behind the ex-"Pyewacket" No.3.

Clocking actual boat speeds of over 20 knots during bright, moonlit, overnight sailing, Sam opined that his win was down to "Great crew work and preparation", stating that this was his "first winning race without breaking anything."

The fleet started in a promising 17 knots of wind, however "Jelik" was unable to crack Free Fire's record of 29hours, 55 minutes and 03 seconds which was set in the 2000 race, instead clocking 35:19:40 for the 355nm. The decision to take the Inshore line on the way into Sanya cost "Jelik" dear, as 'Ffree Fire" stayed further out to sea, but disappointment was soon tempered with a massive high induced by sailing such a great race.

Frank said "There were highs from the start to finish - we're still on a high, and debating how we could have done a little bit better in the race. Ffree Fire got a little bit better wind and is relatively faster in the lighter winds - ultimately, a Pyewacket won the day!", in reference to "Ffree Fire's" former existence as the first Pyewacket and "Jelik's" as the third.

Local racing legend Karl Kwok said "Roy Disney must feel good to know two boats from his stable will have a few years of friendly rivalry on our side of the pond!"

Further back in the fleet, Marcel Leidts and Anthony Day battled it out on "Hocux Pocux 2" and Siren respectively, with Marcel winning out on elapsed and corrected time. Both boats enjoyed the race, with Siren relieved to make it down to Sanya with her rig still intact this year. "It was all about the people. The breeze may not have been as solid as the company or as consistent as the crew work but the ride was still and chill as …vodka and beluga caviar...."

Zephyr 2 and Polar Star III reached Sanya late on Thursday evening to complete a safe and successful race for the six boat fleet.
Please credit Guy Nowell for the photographs http://www.guynowell.com
-Ends-

Lindsay Lyons
Sailing Promotions Officer
Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club
www.rhkyc.org.hk
Phone +852 2239 0391
Fax +852 2239 0364

To view the results and further info on the 2003 China Coast Race Week conducted by the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club - 3 days of racing and Island courses in and around Hong Kong can be found at: http://www.chinacoastraceweek.com Click to view past years CCRW and Hainan Race Reports 2001 2002 2006

The Hainan Race 2003 is the second grand prix event of the AY Grand Prix Championships. Check out the annual AYGP 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 and 2006-07 Championship results and the AY Photo Library images of the 2003/04, 2004/05 AY Grand Prix Champions party in Koh Samui with selected shots taken during the season here...

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