Shing and Lee strengthen their grip on Asian Classic

Home team Tong Shing and Evergreen Lee, aboard Blue Fin, continued their domination in the Hobie Asian Classic as they consolidated their overall lead, winning four races in testing conditions in which Hobie 16s excelled yesterday off Tai Tam. The Hobie 16s dominated proceedings and now hold the first five places in the overall championship.

Behind the leaders are Christian Wright and Carol Pablo, with the fourth-placed teams, Ross and Kimberly Jolliffe, only one point ahead of fifth-placed Chris Steilberg and Ronnie Lee.

Conditions were worrisome for some crews as several Hobie Tigers capsized in the open fleet, which provided the most action with thrills and spills as they flew their spinnakers.

Strong winds and vicious gusts within Tai Tam Bay delayed the start of proceedings. Eventually 22 of the 42 teams ventured forth.

The Dart 18 team of Gavin and Iris Shum, who valiantly sailed all of their races with a badly torn jib sail, still performed well, placing third in their class behind leaders Iain and Ronnaug Macleod and second-placed Daniel Choi and Frankie Lui.

In the Open Fleet, Anthony Chapman, visiting from Bangkok, and his crew Hamish McNichol, registered four straight wins.