‘Seawolf’ and ‘Jive’ Keep Clean Sheets in Typhoon Series

Yachting—Typhoon Series 2016

'Seawolf' (IRC-B) starts race 2 of the Typhoon series alongside "Zannekin" ad 'XT' (IRC-A) on Sunday June 19, 2016. Bill Cox/Epoch Times

HONG KONG—A steady 5 knot breeze persisted virtually all afternoon providing good steady racing on calm seas, in sunny conditions for the two Typhoon Series races on Sunday June 19. The two geometric sausage courses were set outside Port Shelter in a consistent Easterly breeze. Two windward marks were set with faster boats covering the longer route providing perfect racing for 54 boats.

In IRC-A, “Zannekin” continued her competitive performance which included a close tussle with “Freefire” for line honours with each chalking up a win. On corrected time, top performers were “Straight Up” 1st, “XF” 2nd, and “Zannekin” 3rd in race 2; and in race 3, “Vineta” was 1st, “Ambush” 2nd and “Zannekin” 3rd. “Zannekin” leads the series with 7 points, “XF” is lying 2nd with 8 points and “Vineta” is 3rd on 10 points.

IRC-A boats 'Zannekin' and 'Freefire' (C) have catch up with smaller craft as they approach the leeward mark for the second time in race 2 of the Hebe Haven Typhoon series 2016. Bill Cox/Epoch Times

In IRC-B, there seems no way of stopping “Seawolf” taking line honours and 1st place on corrected time maintaining a perfect score of 3 points. “Sell Side Dream” and the Singapore registered boat “Blue Bunny” are having a close contest swapping 2nd and 3rd places with “Sell Side Dream” just 1 point ahead on 7 points.

“Dexter II” currently heads IRC-C with 6 points, “Gambit” is 2nd on 9 points and “Whiskey Jack” is lying 3rd on 11 points, but “Red Kite II” having missed race 1 threw down the gauntlet posting line honours and on corrected time wins in races 2 and 3. Assuming 1 or 2 discards for the series, and consistent attendance by “Red Kite II”, a well-known “good performer”, the late starter could become a significant threat.

A close finish between Sportsboats 'Merlin' and 'Catch 22' in race 3 of the Hebe Haven Typhoon series on Sunday June 19, with 'Catch 22' just getting the win. Bill Cox/Epoch Times

In Sportsboats, “Merlin” is again in the driving seat with 2 wins and a 2nd place and is well ahead of the field with 4 points. However, “Catch 22” outplayed “Merlin” for the line in race 3, being first to catch a gasp of air, after both had lost impetus next to “Surfdude” finishing to their windward side.

In the J80’s “Jive” helmed by Danny Sum seems in control with 3 straight wins. “Jazz” (Guo Weilong) is second with 9 points but the following pack of “Bumphead”, “Lila” and “Alchemist” are close behind.

'Jive" winner of races 2 and 3 of the J80 class of the Typhoon series on Sunday June 19, 2016, sets off at the start of race 2. Bill Cox/Epoch Times

In the HKPN-A category, “Bits and Pieces” looks to have regained competitiveness finishing with line honours in both races, and more significantly, after wins on corrected time in races 2 and 3, is leading the series with 5 points, “Shikir”i is 2nd on 8 points and “No One Else” is lying 3rd with 9 points.

In HKPN-B, “Geko” is leading with 6 points, but “GA” who traded wins with the leader in races 2 and 3, is second just 1 point behind. “Sleeepy Pigggy” and “Lazzy Piggy” that finished 1st and 2nd in Race 1 are lying on 10 and 11 points respectively.

This coming Saturday, June 25, is week 2 of the Summer Saturday series.