But first, some refllections. This was a fascinating international regatta in its fifth year. Very well officiated by the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, and accented by incredibly welcoming volunteers and elaborate, if a bit exotic (okay, strange) parties with excellent food and also Sol Mexican beer.
We greatly enjoyed interacting with the international teams from China, Germany, Israel, Australia, NZ, Russia, and Manhattan (only 1.5 American on board). Racing in Chinese waters was quite a thrill.
The last race of the last day. Good breezes kept up after a lull. The committee boat pulled up anchor to position for the 22 nm round the islands course.
On the radio, the call added a windward turning mark, leading to some confusion on our boat, as the course description made no allowance for such a mark. However, everybody else bought in to it so we went along...
We started at the pin end, just in case the true course was as set out in the instructions. A conservative start about a boatlength off the line, but even in disturbed air we were able to gain a good position, climbing to fourth or fifth once again. (Update: review of the race tracker shows we were closer to tenth. Did not see some boats from my vantage point)
At the windward mark, we rounded nicely for the close reach to the island that was the next mark. The roundind was quite satisfying as our tactics had gelled enough to let us fight off a couple of challengers for the inside spot
The reach was a bit too high to fly the asymm, but we kept a high angle and maintained a great speed, rolling a boat or two below and gaining on the Israelis in third.
By the time we reached a small island with a cute little lighthouse, we were only meters from their stern.
"Don't go between the lighthouse and the yellow mark" advised Ted. The low sloping island had us all worried that there might be a shallow bit. However, the clear navaids and the boat in front of us gave us some comfort.
Professional racers don't wave. This was the word from the afterguard, but sometimes we rail meat waved anyway.
It's hard, I think, to tell the difference between an expansive friendly wave from the Israelis in front of us and a wild gesticulation that means "we touched bottom; get out of here"
We touched bottom. Boat stopped entirely. Rocked forward and stopped.
Stopped. No injuries.
Okay, collision drill. Tom and Kevin check for leaks below. Brett and I drop the jib. Main sheeted in hard. Line check and motor hard back. More weight to leeward. Finally free, we motor to a cove and kevin dives in the keel, to the bemusument of the three sampans rafted there. All good.
A committee boat motors up to see if we are okay with an interrogatory thumbs up. I return a thumb meaning "we are ok but dont wanna talk about it"
They come over and say "you know there's a nuclear plant over there, right?"
Brilliant.
Back to the marina, where they think we are first to finish. We let them snap a few photos before telling them we had to drop out.
They don't care. They keep taking our pictures and posing with us while we clean up the boat. Either way, they are happy to see us
Yeah, we'll be back.
