Around Middle Island Race

WORDS AND IMAGES BY LUKE VAN DER KAMP

As the big boats all prepared for their lap of Hong Kong in the Around the Island Race, the dinghies at Middle Island had their turn on the Saturday before, 19 November. 38 dinghies entered the race and the wind gods did not disappoint, sending a solid 8 to 12kts easterly down to Middle Island for the race day.

irst off went the Optis with sailors from Hebe Haven Yacht Club and 888 Yachting amongst the RHKYC regulars. A fierce tacking duel up the channel saw Cyrus Yung from HHYC emerge in the lead; a position he would take to the finish line. The Optis kept the breeze around the whole island and soon the Optis were beating back up to the finish line jostling for position. Cyrus Yung maintained his lead to the end though Kian Anderson (HHYC) pushed him hard to the end crossing in second. Rohan Maliah (RHKYC) managed to grab the last podium spot late in the race thanks to a well-timed last tack. Jai Mutreja (RHKYC) and Sophie Shao (HHYC) rounded out the top 5.

In the open division, things were not as straight forward. The wind picked up a few knots for the start which saw a mad dash off the start to claim the right-hand side of the channel. Romina Lecher (RHKYC) in the Laser 4.7 stormed off the start line, held off the bigger rigs and led the fleet to the MI Beach. The crowded channel made for some risky tacking decisions, but they paid off for Shaan Mutreja (RHKYC) in the Radial, he led the fleet out in to Repulse Bay. Shaan held the lead and rounded the final mark with a considerable gap between him and the next boat only for the wind to die off. The fleet saw a split between those choosing to stay in clearer water but less breeze on the left, and those chasing breeze through the moorings on the right. Shaan went left and barely held off a fast charging Radial of Michael Anderson (HHYC) who found the breeze on the right and came in to the finish line with more speed. The race was on to see whether the smaller boats would be able finish close enough to sneak the win on handicap. Kai Storey (RHKYC) on the O’pen Skiff (formerly known as the O’pen Bic) made it across in time to not only take the win, but also demote his dad off the podium! Shaan Mutreja and Michael Anderson rounded out the podium in second and third place. Tim Storey (RHKYC) finished in 4th with Helen and Audrey Liu (RHKYC) finishing out the top 5 on the RS Feva.

A big thanks to Race officer Elberti UiterwaalPostma and her team for their efforts. Also a big thanks to North Sails Hong Kong for their support of the event providing some great prizes.