HONG KONG, March 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The breathless battle for Line Honours that the 62nd Anniversary of Rolex China Sea Race continued well into the third day of racing, Standard Insurance Centennial V and Happy Go at the front of the fleet are separated by a mere six-nautical miles with a little under 100nm to go.
Line Honours defender and Philippines sailing legend Ernesto Echauz on board Standard Insurance Centennial V has the best local knowledge as to how to sail around the Luzon hole. This year he is taking a totally different approach compared to the last edition - they've stayed close to rhumb line for almost the entire journey. Nie Hua's TP52 Happy Go has opted to sail further south of rhumb line. Both however will hit the infamous Luzon hole in their final 100nm.
As intriguing as the battle for Line Hours is, the main event is the IRC Overall. Happy Go is now leading, however Seawolf is chasing from behind.
In the Premier class, there's a close tussle between Moonblue 2 and Parnassus, with Moonblue 2 slightly in the lead.
Father and son team Philippe and Cosmas Grelon are leading in the Double-handed division, ahead of Lisa Elaine and Daybreak. Speaking on board A Plastic Ocean, Cosmas Grelon said: "All good on board A Plastic Ocean. First hot meal last night. Fighting fishing nets now as we approach Subic. Light winds but trying to keep up with the bigger boats. All to play for with Luzon gods. "
As the 565nautical mile race entered is third day, the race between the smaller boats was proving to be as scintillating for sailing fans. IRC 3 entry Henning Mueller's Zesst was sailing even faster than their rivals in Racer 2, over to IRC 2, A Plastic Ocean is leading Nicolas Cohen-Addad's Jinn.
Korean entry Random() is now at the back of IRC 3, owner Hojun Song onboard said "Our Genoa sail was torn at the start and repaired. One of new gennakers was torn also and the wind is too light. Lots of things have happened but we are doing fine."
Over in IRC Cruiser, Noel Chan's Rampage008 is sailing ahead of Tong Ran and Pacific Sunrise and for PHS, Jubulai is the farthest boat away from the rhumb line - time will tell if their strategy pays off against Blowers Daughter.
For more information about Rolex China Sea Race 2024, please visit www.rolexchinasearace.com.
High resolution photos can be downloaded from the below link:
Photos credit: ROLEX / Andrea Francolini
ABOUT ROYAL HONG KONG YACHT CLUB (RHKYC)
The Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club is one of the oldest and largest sports clubs in Hong Kong, with a rich, colourful history that spans 170 years of community and competitive sailing and rowing. The RHKYC provides training programmes for practitioners of all abilities and ages – both members and non-members – to nurture their development, produce elite athletes capable of competing at the highest levels, and contribute to the growth and popularity of these great pastimes. The Club also organises a full calendar of high-profile local and international race events, helping place Hong Kong firmly on the global sporting map.
ROLEX AND YACHTING
Rolex has always associated with activities driven by passion, excellence, precision and team spirit. The Swiss watchmaker naturally gravitated towards the elite world of yachting six decades ago and the brand's enduring partnership now encompasses the most prestigious clubs, races and regattas, as well as towering figures in the sport, including ground-breaking round-the-world yachtsman Sir Francis Chichester and the most successful Olympic sailor of all time, Sir Ben Ainslie. Today, Rolex is Title Sponsor of 15 major international events – from leading offshore races such as the annual Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and the biennial Rolex Fastnet Race, to grand prix competition at the Rolex TP52 World Championship and spectacular gatherings at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup and the Rolex Swan Cup. It also supports the exciting SailGP global championship in which national teams race identical supercharged F50 catamarans on some of the world's most famous harbours. Rolex's partnerships with the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Royal Ocean Racing Club, Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, Yacht Club Italiano, New York Yacht Club and Royal Yacht Squadron, among others, are the foundation of its enduring relationship with this dynamic sport.
ABOUT ROLEX
AN UNRIVALLED REPUTATION FOR QUALITY AND EXPERTISE
Rolex is an integrated and independent Swiss watch manufacture. Headquartered in Geneva, the brand is recognized the world over for its expertise and the quality of its products – symbols of excellence, elegance and prestige. The movements of its Oyster Perpetual and Cellini watches are certified by COSC, then tested in-house for their precision, performance and reliability. The Superlative Chronometer certification, symbolized by the green seal, confirms that each watch has successfully undergone tests conducted by Rolex in its own laboratories according to its own criteria. These are periodically validated by an independent external organization. The word "Perpetual" is inscribed on every Rolex Oyster watch. But more than just a word on a dial, it is a philosophy that embodies the company's vision and values. Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of the company, instilled a notion of perpetual excellence that would drive the company forward. This led Rolex to pioneer the development of the wristwatch and numerous major watchmaking innovations, such as the Oyster, the first waterproof wristwatch, launched in 1926, and the Perpetual rotor self-winding mechanism, invented in 1931. In the course of its history, Rolex has registered over 500 patents. At its four sites in Switzerland, the brand designs, develops and produces the majority of its watch components, from the casting of the gold alloys to the machining, crafting, assembly and finishing of the movement, case, dial and bracelet. Furthermore, the brand is actively involved in supporting the arts and culture, sport and exploration, as well as those who are devising solutions to preserve the planet.
