Please select your home edition
Edition
HKJ YY Leaderboard

Tomes Cup 2024 at the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club

by Vivian Ngan 29 Apr 2024 12:15 BST 27 April 2024
Tomes Cup 2024 © RHKYC/ Guy Nowell
Tomes Cup 2024 ©RHKYC/ Guy Nowell
previous next
  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6
  7. 7
  8. 8
  9. 9
  10. 10
  11. 11
  12. 12
  13. 13
  14. 14
  15. 15
  16. 16
  17. 17
  18. 18

The Tomes Cup took place in Victoria Harbour on 27 April, completing the series of four pursuit races that comprise the Top Dog Trophy Series and deciding the top performing boat for the season.

The race kicked off in a south easterly breeze of 4 to 8kts with 67 boats turning out at the start line. The Pandora fleet was first off, followed by the Ruffian, Dragon and Flying Fifteen classes. Chasing them down to the projected target finish time of 1630hrs were the Impala, J/80 and Etchells fleets, with the Magic, VX Ones and nine Big Boats bringing up the rear.

Race Officer Gareth Williams set a start line just off Hung Hom and sent the fleet off on four laps between Tai Koo Shing and Hung Hom before finishing at Kowloon Bay. The wind held on and gradually built up to 12kts (gusting up to 16kts), however the small boats struggled beating up to Hung Hom against a strong outgoing tide.

Pandora Windfall put in a huge effort, holding onto the lead until they were overtaken by Ruffian Buster on the first rounding of the windward mark at Hung Hom. Unfortunately, the wind softened after all Big Boats started the race and the Race Officer decided to shorten the course after the third rounding of the windward mark. The bigger boats took the advantage of beating up against the tide and chased steadily from behind, however, in the end it was Etchells Noddy which took 1st place, with Magic 25 Phoenix in second and Big Boat Capitano in third.

Post racing the Race Officer commented on the interesting day of ever-changing conditions, "We thought we had got the course down perfectly timed for the fleet to finish at 1630hrs however the wind had other ideas and died down. We had to finish the race at Dock Buoy instead and about 20 minutes later from when we should have done. It was just one of those things."

Following the race, a prize presentation was held at the Club, with prizes awarded not only to the various winners of the Tomes Cup, but also to the overall winner of the 2023-2024 Top Dog Trophy Series. Williams Mairs' Ruffian Buster emerged victorious as Top Dog with Denis Martinet/Drew Taylor's Cape 31 Capitano in 2nd place and Tom Ho's Pandora Windfall in 3rd.

Related Articles

Rampage 88 claims a hat-trick overall win
Hong Kong's biggest annual celebration of sail - Sun Hung Kai & Co. Around the Island Race After being postponed due to Tropical Cyclone Trami on Saturday, 26 October, the Sun Hung Kai & Co. Around the Island Race, a 26 nm circumnavigation of Hong Kong Island, took place on Saturday, 18 January, in picture-perfect conditions. Posted on 20 Jan
HKRNVR Memorial Vase 2025
Part of the Top Dog Trophy Series 2024-2025 53 boats enjoyed some fresh (and cold!) sailing in Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour on 11 January as they competed in the HKRNVR Memorial Vase. Posted on 13 Jan
Volvo Hong Kong to Hainan Race 2025 Overall
Fenice takes Line Honours and IRC Overall win The Volvo Hong Kong to Hainan Race, featuring a competitive field of four yachts, has concluded successfully at Sanya, Hainan. Posted on 12 Jan
Volvo Hong Kong to Hainan Race kicks off
Four boats made a clean start in stunning Victoria Harbour After a hiatus of seven years, the Volvo Hong Kong to Hainan Race 2025 got under way this morning in an easterly breeze of around 5 to 7kts. Posted on 9 Jan
2024/5 Hong Kong Flying 15 Championship
Thirteen F15's assembled for the regatta The Hong Kong Flying Fifteen Championships were held on 7-8 December 2024. The fleet relocated from Kellet Island to Middle Island a couple of weeks beforehand to get some practice on the championship racecourse off Lamma Island. Posted on 25 Dec 2024
World Maritime Merchants Forum YMC Alma Mater Race
An annual fun racing event for alumni from the same academic institute On the coldest day of winter so far, the YMC Alma Mater Race sponsored by the World Maritime Merchants Forum, took place on 15 December in Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour. Posted on 18 Dec 2024
Rolex China Sea Race 2026 Entries Open
The 565nm offshore race will start on Hong Kong's iconic Victoria Harbour The Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club has announced that entry for the Rolex China Sea Race 2026 is now open. Posted on 16 Dec 2024
2025 29er Asian Championship entry open
Taking place during Sun Hung Kai & Co. Hong Kong Race Week 2025 The Sailing Federation of Hong Kong, China in conjunction with co-organiser the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club and the International 29er Association, are pleased to announce the opening of entry for the 2025 29er Asian Championship. Posted on 28 Nov 2024
Sun Hung Kai & Co. Hong Kong Race Week preview
2025 event will incorporate the 29er Asian Championship The Sailing Federation of Hong Kong, China in conjunction with co-organiser the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club and the International 29er Association, are pleased to announce the 9th edition of Hong Kong's premier international regatta for dinghies Posted on 19 Nov 2024
Volvo Hong Kong to Hainan Race 2024 Preview
Competition in the IRC division will be fierce After a hiatus of six years, the Hong Kong to Hainan Race returns. Eight boats will set sail from Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour at 1120hrs on 14 November marking the 14th edition of the race. Posted on 7 Nov 2024