HONG KONG—After four challenging days of racing involving 10-races Tam Nguyen helming “Zephyr” retained the Dragon Championship Series title on Sunday Jan 25 in the waters off Repulse Bay/Lamma Island. The series this year was extended from 6-races in 2013-14 to 10 races run over two consecutive weekends increasing the physical demands on the boats and crews. The extended time period for the series may, however, have deterred overseas internationals from taking part.
A total of 14 boats entered the Championships with 12 entering for the Corinthians and 2 additional for the Hong Kong Helm. One boat “Mei Fei” only took part in the first 2-races. All other boats finished the series.
The weather was particularly demanding on days 1, 2 and 3 of the Championship with winds of 20Knots plus, and gusts measuring over 30Knots. Although 1-boat dropped out during the first day of racing, 13-boats continued to complete the series. It was surprising that the crew and the Dragon Class sailboats boats withstood the conditions so admirably. Only one boat suffered serious damage - a broken mast.
After a poor first race when Nguyen recorded a DNF (did not finish) he recorded 1st or 2nd and one 3rd place in the following 9-races. After taking the allowed 2-discards into account his final score was 10-points in the low point scoring system. Marc Castagnet helming “Celines” led the Corinthians series over the first few races (until 1-discard allowed Nguyen to drop his first race result), stayed on the heels of Nguyen right through the series finishing 2nd in both Corinthians and Overall with 15 and 17 points respectively.
Phyllis Chang helming “Phyloong III” did not enter the Corinthians, but in the overall standings she recorded the best results over the first 2-days of racing. Chang finished 3rd Overall with 22-points.
With 6 wins and 2 second places after 8-races Nguyen needed just one more win to clinch the series which he obtained in the first race of the final day (Jan 25), the penultimate race of the series. He continued his good performance posting a 2nd place finish behind “Davinloong” in the final race. “Davinloong” helmed by Lowell Chang came 3rd in the Corinthians and 4th overall.
