Clash of the Titans in the First Super Maxi Head-to-Head in Asian Waters

Oct. 3, 2013 - PRLog -- It has also set up one of the juiciest offshore contests for armchair enthusiasts in the 17 years since the inaugural race in 1996, with a ‘Clash of the Titans’ shaping up between Syd Fisher’s Ragamuffin 90, line honours winner of the 2012 Rolex China Sea Race (as Genuine Risk) and Ludde Ingval’s Simonis-Voogd 90, line honours winner (as Audi Ultra) of the 2011 edition of this 656nm race from Hong Kong to Nha Trang, Vietnam.

In other words, a 90 footer which has excelled in tricky conditions with a highly tactical finish in Subic Bay is taking on a 90 footer which has raced this route before and has proved she has the downwind speed to break the record, having finished only an hour outside Skandia’s 42h 45m 41s, set in 2004.

It will be the first Super Maxi head-to-head in Asian waters, set up by east coast (Ragamuffin 90) and west coast (Chivas) Australian-based boats. As Ingvall says, “We loved the race last time. It is a great event, well-organised and run. The downwind sailing to Vietnam is exhilarating and fast. The reception in Nha Thrang is warm. What’s not to like?!”

In her former life as Nicorette III, Chivas also won line honours in the 2004 Rolex Sydney to Hobart Race – quite some pedigree, however the Ragamuffin 90 team is fresh in town from west coast USA, where they claimed line honours victory in the renowned Transpac Race on Fisher’s Elliott 100, Ragamuffin. Both boats boast several noteworthy crew, with extensive experience of ocean racing.

In addition to fans being able to follow the boats via the twice-hourly Yellowbrick Tracker updates, RHKYC has partnered with Virtual Navigation outfit, Sailonline.org who will use the real time Yellowbrick data from the 17 boat fleet to create a virtual race where enthusiasts worldwide can set up their own boat and see how their race tactics compare. One thing is certain, it will be a lot drier - and a lot less expensive on spinnaker repairs - to race to Vietnam from their living rooms!

Yellowbrick Tracking of the Audi Hong Kong to Vietnam race will be shown at www.rhkyc.org.hk/hkvyellowbrick.aspx

Sailonline can be found at at http://www.sailonline.org/

About the Audi Hong Kong to Vietnam Race

First conceived in 1996 when it was run at Lunar New Year, this 656nm Category 1 offshore race is now a biennial fixture in the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club sailing calendar. A constituent event of RHKYC’s popular China Coast Race Week, the race makes the most of October’s prevailing north east monsoon to give competitors a thrilling, predominantly downwind race from Hong Kong to Nha Trang on Vietnam’s eastern seaboard. The 2013 edition will see a sixteen-strong fleet chasing the current race record of 42h 45m 41s, which was set in 2004 by Grant Wharington’s Skandia.

Official Audi Hong Kong to Vietnam Race website at: http://www.rhkyc.org.hk/hkvietnamrace.aspx

Follow the Race on the Club’s Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/rhkyc

Armchair sailors can also track the race via Yellowbrick tracking at: http://www.rhkyc.org.hk/hkvyellowbrick.aspx

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.