The 2011-12 Hong Kong Dragon Championship took place on 5 and 6 November off Lamma Island where the competitors enjoyed perfect wind conditions with 10-12 knots NE wind on Saturday increasing to 12-16 knots on Sunday. There was an all time record participation with 17 boat entries and 55 crews, reflecting the strong growth of the Hong Kong Dragon fleet. With 4 new boats added in the past two years, the class is enjoying a great momentum and keeps attracting a number of new sailors.
With 4 races on Saturday, 3 races on Sunday and only one discard, every single race could make a difference. The fleet quickly found out that the left hand side of the course was favoured and that having a fast start at the correct end of the line (adjusted after each race) was the key competitive advantage to be able go left in as much clean air as possible. The current was also an important factor and a number of competitors overstood the port layline by a few boat lengths on the first races.
Karl Grebstad the defending champion sailing his new boat (D51) lead the series after day one with a handy 5 point lead ahead of his rival Tam Nguyen (D55) and 7 points ahead of Lowell Chang (D46). Counting discards, Phyllis Chang (D50) and Simon Chan (D50) were also in the competition for the title.
However D51 went into Sunday’s first race too aggressively and was caught OCS. This damaged his points buffer and with Tam Nguyen (D55) winning the first two races of the day it was all down to the last race for the championship. To retain the titles Karl Grebstad and his team had to place no lower than 4th in the last race. Knowing this Tam Nguyen (D55) and his team elected to cover Karl Grebstad and his team (D51) and force them back into the fleet. While the championship top two boats D51 and D55 were dancing together around back of the fleet, the battle for first continued between husband and wife Lowell Chang (D46) and Phyllis Chang (D50). Phyllis Chang stayed ahead of her Husband to win the final race. However Lowell won overall against his wife in the championship results with a 3rd while Phyllis came in a close 4th.
After a quick way back to Middle Island with strengthening wind and chop conditions, the participants, families and sponsors enjoyed a nice casual hamburger dinner on Middle Island lawn before the Prize Giving ceremony where Slam representative Jack Young offered prizes to the first three overall winners.
The success of the event was made possible by the strong support of the sponsors, Nepa Shipping, Slam and Northrop & Johnson and was covered by photographer Guy Nowell and cameraman Oliver Merz both driven around the course on the Northrop & Johnson rib.
Dragons sail all year long in Hong Kong out of Shelter Cove (RHKYC), participate in team racing against other clubs (Asia Pacific Interport, European Interport) and a growing number participate in races of the International circuit. If you want to join as a crew, helm or owner, please contact dragon@rhkyc.org.hk, there are always boats in need of crew and fast boats available for sale.