GREAT Nations' Cup 2014
by RHKYC Media 8 Mar 2014 19:41 GMT
8 March 2014
In spite of a heavy drizzle, 75 of the 80 boats entered into this year's GREAT Nations' Cup, the launch event of GREAT Week in Hong Kong, turned up on the start line in Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour, fully decked out in costume, flags and other national paraphernalia and ready to do battle on the water for the right to hang their national flag behind the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club's Main Bar until the 2015 event.
Given an easterly of around 9 to 12kts, with occasional lulls, Race Officer Sofia Mascia elected to set a course which would take the fleet from a Hung Hom start, through Lei Yue Mun Gap and round Shek O Rock in the eastern approaches. Once around, the boats would return under spinnaker, passing marks in the Harbour on their way to a Club finish line.
Racing on RHKATI handicaps, the boats were given staggered starts at 20 minute intervals with the slowest boats starting first and the fastest last, in the hope that in true pursuit race style they would catch up and finish close together. The third start suffered a hiatus as a tow decided to pass right through the line during the start sequence, but otherwise, everything ran smoothly.
The Impala fleet rounded Shek O Rock first, holding on to a lead on the water until the very end, when they were passed by Kiwi entry, Etchells Dream On helmed by Greg Farrell. With the first boat home, a procession of spinnakers stretched the length of the harbour as the remaining boats completed their race in a steady 7kts.
When the final results were in, New Zealand held on to her top spot by 16 seconds, with Hong Kong finishing as second nation, ahead of England, Scotland, Netherlands and Singapore in sixth.
Given the early finish and the cold, wet sailors, the prizegiving took place as quickly as possible after the final finish, with places six to two being presented by the British Consul General to Hong Kong and Macau, Ms Caroline Wilson. To rapturous applause, first prize and the Vic Locke Memorial Trophy were presented to New Zealand by Sir Robin Knox Johnston and Ms Pixie Thomas.
Overall Results: (top ten)
| Sail No | Name of boat | Class or design of boat | Skipper / Person in Charge | Nation | Corrected Time |
|---|
| 1269 | Dream On | Etchells | Greg Farrell | New Zealand | 02:33:55 |
| 1066 | Boss Hogg | Impala | Bob Yu | Hong Kong | 02:39:56 |
| 731 | Rainbow Chaser | Impala | Wilcox Tam | Hong Kong | 02:39:57 |
| 262 | Gnu | Impala | Frank Tsui | Hong Kong | 02:39:57 |
| 1045 | Moll | Impala | Philip Bowring | England | 02:44:01 |
| 9546 | Impala 1 | Impala | Mike Burrell | Scotland | 02:45:02 |
| 1364 | No Name | Etchells | Frank van Kempen | Netherlands | 02:42:57 |
| 716 | Caviar | Impala | Rex Tan | Singapore | 02:48:51 |
| 3722 | Noisyforefather | Flying Fifteen | Clement Brunet Moret | France | 02:45:30 |
Full results are available at www.rhkyc.org.hk/NationsCupResults.aspx