Typhoon 5 & 6

The turnout was excellent for Races 5 & 6 of the Typhoon Series 2026. So, too, were the conditions – Force 4 east of Shelter Island! A good reason for the race officer to raise the AP and re-lay the course further back inside the bay and position the windward marks off Silverstrand.

At 1130, five Cape 31s sped away, followed by six J/80s. Then came the other IRC boats, two PHS fleets and, finally, PHS B and C. Hard work with the flags and horn signals but, in the end, it created some lively competition as everyone tacked their way to the top marks.

Rampage 38 claimed handicap honours in the Cape 31s, Seawolf showed its best side in IRC A and Wild Card emerged victorious in IRC B. Juice won IRC C ahead of Ocean’s Five.

But, drama for the J/80s, PHS A1, PHS A2, PHS B and PHS C when Boracay (ex-Jelik) sailed away with their windward mark! The race committee decided it would be best to re-sail their Race 5 later in the day, after everyone had finished Race 6.

So, pressing on, Race 6 for the Cape 31s began at 1250 in 6 knots of southwesterly breeze. Once again, Rampage 38 excelled and claimed victory ahead of David Kong’s Out of Africa. Seawolf won IRC A and, following a tremendous effort, Nightshift claimed IRC B.

The J/80s got going at 1305 with Shenzhen Future Racing prevailing, albeit with local yachtswoman, Cynthia Law, calling the shots. Victory in PHS A1 went to Kingsman by Simplicity and, in PHS A2, Aegean66 topped the leader board. Harpseal, helmed by Raymond Yip, won PHS B and the ever-improving Dolphin six won PHS C.

Then, at 1431, the J/80s began their re-sail of Race 5. Cynthia Law and crew again dominated while Nezha Sailing Team came 2nd – nice work, Chuyi Zhao and compatriots.

IRC C crossed the start line at 1440 and the familiar blue-hulled Juice won in a time of 46 minutes and 49 seconds. PHS A1 and PHS A2 followed at 1436 with Kingsman winning the former and Aegean66 winning the latter. DEA II finished with a bullet in PHS B – great sailing Bonnie Yung and friends. Dolphin six prevailed in PHS C.

Last boat to finish was the tireless Frank Tan in his 31-foot Dufour, Noah. Interestingly, there were 50 starters for the second race of the day – an increase of four boats over Race 5.

The next race (#6) in the Typhoon Series 2026 is on Sunday, the 2nd of August. An islands course is scheduled.