30th ROLEX CHINA SEA RACE 2023
Best wishes to APSA member Kenta Inaba (SYL Japan) who will be competing in the 30th Rolex China Sea Race (RCSR) which starts tomorrow, 5 April, 2023. Sailing on SHK Scallywag Fuku, owned by Meitatsu Fukumoto and Seng Huang Lee, and skippered by David Witt, the ORMA 60 Trimaran will be sailing under the Hong Kong flag.
The yacht broke the multihull record in their first attempt of the 2019 edition of the Club’s offshore race from Hong Kong to Vietnam, and the team will attempt to challenge the Rolex China Sea Race multihull record, which was set by Karl Kwok on his MOD Beau Geste with an elapsed time of 38h 30m 07s in 2018.
Another APSA Yacht Member Moonblue 2 owned by Pete Churchouse will also be competing in the Premium Cruising division, which starts in Hong Kong’s iconic Victoria Harbour with 19 yacht on the start line. Organised by the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, this premier blue-water classic, takes competitors 565-nautical miles (1,046 kilometres) across the South China Sea to Subic Bay in the Philippines. First held in 1962, this year marks the 61st anniversary of this offshore race, and after five years of absence, RCSR celebrates its 30th edition, which is run under the auspices of Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC). Many of the world’s best-known sailors and yachts have tried to master the race and the Category 1 offshore course is considered, a real test of sailing skill.
While the majority of this year’s competitors are Asian-based, sailors from around the world have been drawn to participate by the race’s elevated standing as well as the stringent examination of skill and endeavour it presents, its underlying Corinthian spirit and traditions. Three TP52’s are expected to provide some close racing, and this IRC 0 class includes teams from the Philippines, Hong Kong and China.
Lucy Sutro, the RHKYC Commodore, recognizes the characteristics that make the race so significant:
“We are honoured that this Asian blue-water classic is part of Rolex’s distinguished portfolio of international offshore races. After five years of absence, we are delighted to see both local and international entries coming back to this iconic race. For several decades Rolex has cultivated close associations with the best-known yacht clubs and organisers of major events in the world of sailing. We are proud that this Race was the first Asian sailing event sponsored by Rolex and that, with their support, the Race continues to arouse attention within the international yachting fraternity.”
There are two main prizes at the Rolex China Sea Race. The most coveted accolade is the Rolex China Sea Race Trophy for the overall winner under IRC time correction (handicap). The first boat to cross the finish line on real time (Line Honours) receives the Sunday Telegraph Trophy. A Rolex timepiece will be awarded to the first boat under IRC Overall handicap and first Monohull Line Honours.