TWO years of planning culminates this afternoon with the start of the ground-breaking Hong Kong to Vietnam yacht race, a 690 nautical-mile downwind ride to the beach resort of Nha Trang.
A quality fleet of 17 yachts will take part in the race which has the potential and mystique to become one of the leading bluewater classics in the world.
It will be the first time foreign yachts have been allowed into Vietnam waters and signals a major change in attitude by the communist authorities.
The race will feature the newest acquisition to Hong Kong's racing fleeting, Samuel Chan's 68-foot downwind flyer, Ffree Fire (formerly the Nelson-Maerk-designed Phantom VI) which was specifically bought with the race in mind.
Ffree Fire has already underlined its pedigree with a line honours-handicap double in an overnight prelude race.
Nothing in the 17-strong fleet looks capable of denying Ffree Fire a second line honours triumph in conditions which should be tailor-made for the boat.
Royal Observatory representatives yesterday predicted a 10 to 15-knot easterly for the 4 pm start which should steadily fill in over the weekend.