The 43- strong fleet docked out the
Serenity Marina's pontoons on time to be ready for a 10:00 start but the
local thermal breeze was not. Crews and race officials were forced to
stand-by until after noon to be able to set the line and get racing
underway. The IRC 1&2 division
took the start for the first 300nm leg to Haikou, along Hainan's western
coastline that is expected to last around three days. At mid-afternoon
the position report showed that the fleet was fast sailing off Ledong
City and was led by Swan 82' UBOX, the biggest boat in the fleet and
2014 reigning champion, that will obviously fight for line honours.
She
was followed by the two Dubois50' Linshui and Sanya, having their own
offshore match-race. In the smaller IRC2 class Seawolf was in the lead,
with Yomovo in second and Han Jia Yi Lan in third.
Back
in the Sanya Bay as the day progressed, the good north-easterly breeze
and short chop brought about close and exciting racing and with more
points the overall leaderboards are becoming clearer. In the competitive
IRC3 class the Mills 41 Ambush had another clean score with two wins
and leads with a 5 point margin on Shangai e ATC. Lianchuang, a Grand
Soleil 46, occupies the top spot in the IRC4 class thanks to a double
second whilst in second tied at points are HNA sailing and Hainan Luke.
Finally in the IRC5 class Banshanbandao, skippered by French Laurence
Nicolas, is leading but will have to fend off the attack from all
Chinese crews from Hongzhou and Lan Jing to be crowned winner of the RHN
regatta inshore series tomorrow.
The
one-design Fareast 18 had three fought for races today, taking advantage
of the good wind conditions. The first step of the podium is still
occupied by TSU Primary school with 7 points, in second is Black Fox
while, thanks to a positive day with a first and a second, Jess climbed
up to third.
Racing in Sanya resumes tomorrow, Monday 23rd,
with more in-port races. The day will conclude the event's inshore
section before the IRC 3/4/5 boats leave for their own offshore leg
along the Easterly coast of Hainan bound to Wanning.
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