SOUTH African-built ketch Stormvogel was last night powering to a China Sea Race record in a 14-knot north, northeasterly breeze which has held since the start of the race off Lamma Island on Thursday.
At last night's position report Stormvogel had averaged an amazing 8.8 knots which, if she maintained that rate, would see her finish this afternoon - as much as nine hours under American maxi Nirvana's race record of 79 hours, 23 minutes and 13 seconds, set in the 1984 edition of the bluewater classic.
Stormvogel remains firmly on course for a unique double - the 73-foot ketch first took line honours in the China Sea Race back in 1966 when owned and skippered by legendary Dutchman, Cornelius Bruynzeel.
Shadowing Stormvogel across the South China Sea to the Philippine capital of Manila, is Frank Pong's new Whitbread 40, Millennium, which last night lay 23 miles astern.
Millennium lost 10 miles to Stormvogel during the previous 24 hours.
Philippine entry, the Beneteau 51, Vida, was continuing her outstanding progress to stand third on the water and first on corrected time under CHS.