Ragamuffin. Image copyright Rolex/Kurt Arrigo
by Peter Bourne
Syd
Fischer’s 90-ft Maxi Ragamuffin has
a commanding lead some 42 hours into the 27th edition
of the Rolex China Sea Race. At 09:30 local time,
Fischer’s Ragamuffin
90 was
134-nm from the finish line in Subic Bay, The Philippines and closing
in on line honours.
Ragamuffin
90 has
averaged a steady 10 knots since the start of the race, steadily
increasing her lead over the chasing pack. She is expected to
complete the 565-nm race in the early hours of Saturday morning. A
clutch of 52-ft boats are enjoying an intriguing battle some 100-nm
behindRagamuffin
90.
TP52 Freefire (HKG)
is currently second on the water followed closely by Neil Pryde’s
Welbourne 52 Hi
Fi (HKG)
and Brian Ehrhart’s Lucky (USA),
another TP52. The third TP52 - Ernesto
Echauz’sStandard Insurance Centennial,
the only Philippines entry - opted for a different tactical
approach, sailing much further south of the rhumb line, a strategic
manoeuvre yet to pay off. Geoff Hill’s 72-ft Antipodes (GBR)
is fifth on the water.
The
34-strong fleet also includes Seawolf,
whose crew is entirely composed of sailors from mainland China, a
first for the race. Seawolf lies
24th on
the water, some 327-nm from the finish.
For
more detailed information about the 2014 Rolex China Sea Race please
visit the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club website
at: www.rhkyc.org.hk/rolexchinasearace.aspx
