Jelik, Freefire, Electra and possibly EFG Mandrake should be back from their successful Koh Samui Rally to add additional spice to the IRC-A Division for the second Race Day of the Hebe Haven Yacht Club’s Typhoon Series this weekend.
Their inclusion will push the number of contestants in IRC-A Division up to 21 or 22, assuming retirees from Race-1, HuaAn, Crystal, Salona 41, Surfdude and Avant Garde have their boats back in racing condition for this coming Sunday June 16.
After a successful first race around the Islands in lovely conditions on June 2 there is great anticipation for this Father’s Day event, although the weather forecast is for showers.
Restructuring of IRC boats from four to three divisions this year has evened up the numbers in each division and made the competition more exciting, particularly for IRC-A Division. The 74 boats registered are split between IRC-A having 21, IRC-B 19, IRC-C (Impala Class) 6, HKPN 19 and SMS Sports boats 9.
Signal 8 currently leads the IRC-A Division with a scintillating win in the first race, but she will need to be on her metal with the other big boys joining the fray. Freefire won last year’s IRC-A trophy, but then there were only three boats in the division and it was not so exciting. With Jelik also participating this year, it looks like being an excellent series.
IRC-B Division also looks like it will be competitive, with Whiskey Jack, Red Kite II and Vixen currently in the top three positions.
Scintila, Windseeker and Dea II lead the HKPN series after excellent performances in the initial Round the Islands Race. Bits & Pieces, although winning line honours, is languishing mid table.
Merlin and Fly By Wire are still dominating the Sports Boats, but maybe Black Magic, Sidewinder and/or Catch 22 will have something to say about that in this weekend’s racing.
