Sunday was as grey as a pigeon’s armpit, and about 10 degrees below my comfort zone. That doesn’t make for sparkling photos, but there was nothing wrong with the sailing conditions.

In a slightly premature celebration of International Women’s Day (08 March), the RHKYC held its annual Ladies’ Helm Regatta yesterday Sunday 03 March, sponsored by Volvo. 50 entries, sailing in all the usual RHKYC classes – Big Boats (IRC), Dragons, Etchells, Flying Fifteens, Impalas, J/80s, Ruffians, Pandoras and Sportsboats – completed two races under the watchful eye of RO Barry Truhol and his cohort.

 Volvo Ladies’ Helm 2024 © RHKYC / Guy Nowell

Long legs from Kowloon Bay to Shau Kei Wan and back, and slightly shorter legs to Taikoo Shing, with all finishes at Gate Buoy. There was good sailing breeze from south of east all afternoon, and the sun came out for about five minutes when everyone was on the homeward leg to the Club.

Guest Star of the afternoon was Lily Liu (Liu Li Jia), bronze and gold Olympic medallist (Beijing, London, Laser Radial), helming Denis Martinet’s Cape 31 Capitano, with young members of the RHKYC Sharks racing squad crewing – what a fabulous afternoon for them! No real surprise that Capitano claimed victory in the IRC division, followed by another C31, Tai Chi, in second place.

All the winners were rewarded at a lively prizegiving afterwards at RHKYC HQ, Kellett Island. Many thanks to Volvo and St James’s Place for their sponsorship.

A full gallery of images of the racing and the after-party can be found at www.guynowell.com/-/galleries/new-gallery/2024-volvo-ladies-helm-regatta. (Mouse over the thumbnails to enlarge, and click on the ‘down’ arrow to download images, FREE!)

For further information on this and other sailing events in Hong Kong, and the RHKYC, go to www.rhkyc.org.hk

by Guy Nowell