China Coast Race Week 2009

9:32 AM Tue 13 Oct 2009 GMT

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Entries have closed for the 2009 China Coast Race Week, organised by Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club (RHKYC).

From this Friday, 30 boats ranging in size from the 76' Reichel Pugh, Jelik II to the 33' X99s (which used to form the backbone of the Hong Kong yachting fleet) will contest China Coast Regatta in the waters to the south east of Hong Kong Island.

Three days of racing will offer combinations of Windward/Leeward and Islands courses out of RHKYC's Middle Island base, with the final Islands race on Sunday delivering the sailors back to Kellett Island for the overall Regatta Prize-giving.

With the line up boasting several brand new boats, together with last year's winners and stalwarts of the Hong Kong big boat racing calendar. The Isler/Taylor owned Mills 41, Ambush, is back to defend her IRC B title, together with Helmuth Hennig's Div C winner Men At Work, who this year will compete against Anthony Root's Red Kite II and Lowell Chang's Dexter II to make it an Archambault 35 trio in a six-boat division.

In the six-boat IRC Racing A Division, Ray Roberts will be competing on TP52, Evolution Racing, freshly delivered to Hong Kong, which in her previous incarnation as Island Fling won last year's Regatta. Roberts will be up against stiff competition from Frank Pong's RP76, fellow TP52's FfreeFire 52 and Strewth together with Mills 51 Mandrake and Corby 43 Full Metal Jacket.

The IRC Racing B Division forms the largest division in the fleet, with 11 boats in the 35' to 45' range and Ambush hoping to defend her 2008 title against varied competition, while there are two classes for Cruising and Premier Cruising boats.

Race Week kicks off on Wednesday evening with Welcome Drinks on the Lawn at RHKYC Kellett Island starting at 1930 hrs.

Full details are available on the event website www.chinacoastraceweek.com

by RHKYC media