Audi Hong Kong to Vietnam Race - Asia's Longest Offshore Race starts 17 October

Aug. 26, 2013 - PRLog -- The race is not for the faint-hearted, with challenging downhill conditions of 15 to 30kts often leading to gear failure on even the best-prepared boats. Entrants must pass strict scrutineering and safety checks, and are required to have a minimum of 50% of their crew to have undergone Safety at Sea Survival training, and 30% to hold First Aid/ CPR qualifications.

Grant Wharington’s 2004 monohull record of 42h 45m 41s may be under threat this year from the maxis making preparations for the race, including Ragamuffin Loyal and Maserati and Ludde Ingvall has yet to decide whether or not Audi Ultra, which came so close to setting a new record in 2011, will come back for another bite at the cherry.

However it’s not all about who crosses the finish line in Nha Trang first.

A strong IRC fleet, ranging from 35 feet to the maxis, has indicated their intention to contest this classic offshore race and they promise a highly competitive battle for the IRC Overall title. Competing in the Hong Kong to Vietnam Race for the first time, on board his new Sydney GTS 43, Walawala 2, Steve Manning is one of the first owner/skippers to throw his hat in the ring, on the basis that the race;

“will be the first opportunity to enter a long distance race since new, and where the boat will really be able to stretch her legs … We race for the excitement of close competition and camaraderie on board… The boat is designed to take advantage of a good downhill blow and it will be a great opportunity to see how sailing in this mode plays out both for the boat and on the crew.“

Entries are still being accepted from other aspiring offshore racers to take up Manning’s challenge! Full details are available at http://www.rhkyc.org.hk/hkvietnamrace.aspx

See related release on prlog - 19 August 2013 - Audi announced as Title Sponsor of the 2013 Hong Kong to Vietnam Race - click here (../12195189-audi-announced-as-title-sponsor-of-the-2013-h...)

* * *

About Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club

Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club (RHKYC) is one of the oldest sports clubs in Hong Kong and is proud of its rich, colourful history, which stretches back over 160 years of social and competitive sailing and rowing.  RHKYC organises a full calendar of local and international racing for both keel boats and dinghies, ranging from round-the-cans to Category 1 offshore races.  The Club also provides sailing courses for members and non-members at various levels to nurture the development of sailing.  For more information on the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club please visit www.rhkyc.org.hk.

About Audi Hong Kong

Audi Hong Kong officially started its operation in 2013 for the Audi brand and the import business of Audi automobiles in Hong Kong and Macau, with brand marketing as its first and foremost responsibility.  The new wholly-owned sales office emphasized Audi Group’s dedication to this growing market and the company’s vision to become the leading premium automobile brand.  Audi Hong Kong achieved record first half-year results in 2013, delivering more than 40 percent year-on-year increase with 1,922 cars sold – one of the strongest performances among the markets worldwide after its official inauguration. Best-selling models included A5 sportback, A4 and Q3, underlining Audi’s values as a progressive, sophisticated and sporty premium brand.

In 2012, the Audi Group delivered 1,455,123 cars of the Audi brand to its customers, generated revenue of €48.8 billion and achieved an operating profit of €5.4 billion. The Audi Group is globally present in more than 100 markets and produces vehicles in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm (Germany), Győr (Hungary), Brussels  (Belgium),  Bratislava  (Slovakia),  Martorell  (Spain),  Kaluga  (Russia),  Aurangabad  (India), Changchun (China) and Jakarta (Indonesia). The brand with four rings will produce cars also in Foshan (China)  as  of  late  2013  and  in  San  José  Chiapa  (Mexico)  starting  in  2016.  AUDI  AG’s  wholly  owned subsidiaries include quattro GmbH (Neckarsulm), Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. (Sant’Agata Bolognese, Italy) and the sports motorcycle manufacturer Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. (Bologna, Italy). The Group currently  employs  more  than  70,000  people  worldwide,  including  around  50,000  in  Germany.  Total investment of approximately €11 billion is planned by 2015  – mainly in new products and sustainable technologies. Audi lives up to its corporate responsibility and has strategically established the principle of sustainability for its products and processes. The long-term goal is CO 2 -neutral mobility.  

* * *