San Fernando Race 2009
Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club
10th
April 2009: Given the variation in age and size of boats
in offshore racing, particularly in Asia where disciples are still very
much in the minority, all competitors are equally important both from
a safety point of view and also when it comes to calculation of the overall
results.
Purplefinder tracking shows that fleet leader Strewth experienced a drop in speed around 0700hrs this morning, which has picked back up to the 8+ knot mark, but which looks to have put the Race record out of her grasp. At 12:30:00 (Hong Kong time) there were still 26nm to cover to cross the finish line at San Fernando, giving an ETA in the region of 16:30:00, well outside the target finish time of 14:15:12.
While the BIG question this morning was whether or not Strewth could maintain enough momentum on the Luzon coast to break the 8 year old race record, a look a little further back in the fleet exposes some serious challenges to the IRC Racing Division title.
Still 130nm out from the finish, Red Kite II is putting in a sterling
maiden performance in the racing division, looking likely to finish around
12 hours behind the leader. With Strewth giving the Archambault 35 some
19 minutes an hour on IRC, watchers should be entertained well beyond
the Line Honours gun.
The IRC Premier Cruising Division has its own battles going on, with Moonblue 2 leading on the water, but bow to bow with Xena on estimated corrected time, both boats fighting to extend a small advantage over Beneteau First 50 Blauwvoet. Looking at ETC’s based on this morning’s 0800hrs position report, Bavaria 39C, Dearg Doom, poses a threat to the big boats’ supremacy in this division, with a current ETC which would have her beating Blauwvoet by 2 hours once the sums are done.
With consistent weather
conditions, the fleet should all be safely in San Fernando in time for
prizegiving on Sunday evening
- Ends –
Photo credit to RHKYC/Guy
Nowell and Purplefinder - Pole Star Tracking
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9th April 2009: 
A
rough first night left Wizard under tri-sail after ripping her
main, and Julan continues to race, seemingly none the worse for
wear after fixing an overnight steerage problem. The weather report overnight
was of clear skies, full moon and filling in to 22 knots, demonstrating
why the relatively short distance of the San Fernando Race, at 480nm,
belies the challenge it has offered to participants, particularly offshore
first-timers, for the past 32 years.
8th April 2009: 
With
a healthy mix of seasoned competitors and China Sea virgins, the entrants
all have different targets in mind. With over 20 years of China Sea races
behind them, Peter Churchouse's crew are well prepared for the trip. According
to dock talk, the Warwick 64 was victualled with a 2006 Italian Soave
and a 1998 Hock Medoc Grand Cru so 'Won't be going thirsty' and clearly
mean to complete the race in style.
Whatever
the reasons, the 2009 San Fernando Race is shaping up to be a quick one,
and everyone should be re-living their experiences at the post-race party
in San Fernando on Sunday.