Hi Fi wins VinaCapital Vietnam Race 2008
Early position reports, and a favourable Observatory forecast suggested 
'Hi Fi enjoying the breeze and sunshine. RHKYC Vietnam Race 2008.'
Guy Nowell © Click Here to view large photo
that this was going to be one of the fastest Hong Kong to Vietnam races
on record, however by midday on day two it was apparent that the wind
gods were declining to cooperate, with most of the fleet getting stuck
in a major 'hole'.
Chasing a record of 42h 45m 41s, the best that Neil Pryde's Welbourne 52
could manage in the conditions was an elapsed time of 56h 06m 37s,
securing yet another Line Honours for the recently-modified boat.
Hi Fi eased across the line under cover of darkness, just 40 minutes
ahead of 2006 winner, Paul Winkelmann's TP52 Island Fling, but there was
a further four hour wait before Sam Chan's TP52 FfreeFire 52 came in
sight, finishing just after the witching hour on Saturday morning. The
word from one crew member (and seasoned Hong Kong to Vietnam racer) was
that the first day had been 'the roughest ever'. Fortis Mandrake came in
at the same time, having retired due to a broken forestay.
With corrected time positions following the on-the-water order, the
final IRC Division A boat to finish was Chris Meads' Corby 43, Full Metal
Jacket after a re-visit to the cardinal mark in order to leave it to
port. This return cost them around 20 minutes, however this did not
affect the final results for the division, which read;
1- Hi Fi, 2 - Island Fling, 3 - FfreeFire 52, 4 - Full Metal Jacket,
Fortis Mandrake - DNF
With a weighting of 1.5 for the Offshore race, Island Fling
successfully defended her 2006 China Coast Race Week title, due in part
to a near-faultless China Coast Regatta, leaving Hi Fi to take up second
place.
The slower boats in IRC Division B seemed to be worse affected by the
lack of wind, with Shahtoosh and Thea retiring after spending 20 hours
in two knots of breeze and Miss Salona II turning on their engine after
two days of minimal progress.
Ho Ho Ho having retired on day two to head to Hainan Island after losing
their rudder, this left only the Drew Taylor/Joachim Isler owned Mills
41, Ambush, to finish in perfect conditions, with an elapsed time of 75h
32m 26s, giving them the Division B title and a corrected time 2.5 hours
behind FMJ.
The destination of Nha Trang is fast developing into an international
holiday destination, yet in spite of its enviable coastal location,
long beach and (usually) great breeze there is very little on offer in
the way of sailing activities. The people of Nha Trang will have
another opportunity to see leisure sailing in action through Sunday's
Beach Race, which will offer the sight of racing yachts competing 'round
the cans' just off the beach.
by RHKYC Event Media 
Paynesville, VIC
