Waglan 2

All around the committee boat, the water shimmered as patches of wind and pools of sunlight greeted crews as they gathered for Race 2 of this year’s Waglan Series. The location was between Round Island and Ocean Park, a favoured starting area for the Aberdeen Boat Club’s many islands courses. There are 43 of these scenic courses in the club’s Standard Sailing Instructions and, on Sunday, the 19th of October 2025, race officer Alex Johnston decided on Course 22 for the IRC and PHS fleets.

The breeze was blowing 6 knots from the northeast. At 1030, support staff laid the ODM towards the Sham Shui Kok shoreline and a windward mark 0.4 nautical miles from the start line, not too far off Middle Island. “The wind is due to build today,” said the RO and, even by midday, he had been proven correct.

At 1035, Johnston welcomed everyone and announced Course 22 (L) for the two IRC divisions and Course 22 (S) for the two PHS divisions. The faster boats would round Castle Rock, a Tai Tam Club Mark, Shek O Rock, Sung Kong, Waglan Island, Po Toi, Castle Rock, then back through Chesterman Gate before finishing at Round Island. A total distance of 23.6 nautical miles.

Considerably shorter was the course for the PHS divisions – 15.1 nautical miles. This included the same Tai Tam Club Mark, Fury Rocks, Castle Rock and Chesterman Gate.

Incidentally, because of Typhoon Matmo and the raising of the No.3 on Saturday, the 4th, and the No.8 on Sunday, the 9th of October, Race 1 of the series had been cancelled. Thus, Race 2 was actually the first race of this year’s Waglan Series. Interestingly, Matmo was the 12th tropical cyclone to affect Hong Kong to that point – a new record. The previous record was 11 in 1974.

The IRC start at 1100 was fast and furious. Seven boats lined up, almost beam to beam, and thundered down the line, building up speed, before the gun fired – all clear! Arcturus+ came about and others soon followed but it was veteran campaigner, Intrigue, with Arnie Lunty driving, which eventually won the race to the windward mark. Glenn Smith and his well-drilled crew on the Grand Soleil 44, Wild Card, were not far behind.

Missing from the IRC line-up was the big Solaris, Fenice, and Stefan Fillip’s Neo One. Ah well, there are still three races remaining this year, and five in 2026. Let’s hope to see both of them, and many others, in the coming months.

At 1105, the PHS start again saw plenty of action. Shun Shui, although well placed, was pushed over the line by Generations, which had a speed advantage. Shun Shui re-started and was soon giving chase to the other five PHS boats on their way to the windward mark.

It wasn’t long before both fleets were through the Cheshire Home / Round Island gap and making their ways to Castle Rock and the Tai Tam Club Mark respectively.

Into Sheung Sze Mun (Beaufort Channel), the wind was blowing a good 8-10 knots and all divisions were enjoying the conditions, with their headsails sheeted in tight.

It wasn’t long, though, before DBX2 was on its way back from Fury Rocks and rounding Castle Rock. The committee boat sprang to life and set off for Round Island to lay the finish.

First boat home was a well-sailed DBX2, Thomas Wong and crew putting in a great effort to not only secure line but also handicap honours. The X4.6 recorded an elapsed time of 2 hours, 18 minutes and 45 seconds. In 2nd place was Pascal Martin’s Skywalker and 3rd, Concorde.

PHS B was won by the happy crew on Rising Sun. Shun Shui, after it overcame its initial difficulties at the start to record a 2nd place ahead of Generations.

The first IRC boat home was Wild Card which also secured handicap victory ahead of Redeye in IRC 1. In the competitive IRC 2 division, Zesst emerged victorious with Intrigue in 2nd and Arcturus+, 3rd.

The next races, 3 & 4,  in the Waglan Series will be held on Sunday, the 2nd of November 2025.