China Cup International Regatta - Whiskey Jack, giant-killer.

11:16 PM Sun 1 Nov 2009 GMT

'Some warm tips from China Cup' Guy Nowell &copy

Before heading out for the last day's racing, here's a quick update on the CCIR 2009:

The passage race from Hong Kong to Longcheer last Friday was an uneventful affair which went to a short finish at 'the corner', and was won by the Beneteau South Africa agent's team, sponsored by Sheraton and crewed by Shosholoza.

The start was notable for a General Recall on the Beneteau 40.7 OD fleet, which allowed the combined IRC A and B fleets to get away in clear air, and appears to have given the RO 'pause for thought' - every starting order since then has had the IRC fleets going first, and an 'I' flag hoisted for the pack behind.

Praying for breeze - Saturday - Guy Nowell &copy

Saturday was a washout. After a delayed start to the programme, to allow Government officials to get to Opening Ceremony (taking place on the second day of the regatta - work it out), the breeze failed to cooperate and the fleet jilled around from 1200 hrs to 1630 hrs when the RO signaled 'AP over A' and we all went ashore.

In the interim, entertainment was provided by skinny-dipping Russians, a display of spreader-diving, and large numbers of water-fights - all good stuff as crews sat 'on the grill' in the uncharacteristically hot October sunshine right next to Daya Bay nuclear power station.

Sunday' forecast was for more breeze - lots more breeze - and it was plum right.

Nothing less that 10 kts, and a max of 17 kts, made for good racing on the flat water of Da Ya Wan. Once again, a class act from the RHKYC race management team, and all divisions completed two windward-leewards and a triangle-sausage-sausage geometric, thereby making back one of the races lost yesterday.

Skinny-dipping Russians - Guy Nowell &copy

Star of the show all day was Nick Southward's J/109 Whiskey Jack, scoring 1-1-2 in IRC B, and leading the combined A and B fleets over the line in the second race of the day. 'The boys were on fire' said Southward later. 'They sailed their socks off today, it was hard work.'

In the Beneteau 40.7s, the South Africans scored three more bullets to make it a clean sweep for the regatta so far.

The programme continues today with two more races. Strong winds forecast.