Avid yachtsman Frank Pong is hoping it is a case of third time lucky when the China Coast Race Week resumes today with the Hainan Race. In the past two years, he has been denied glory due to unfortunate problems that stalled his boat Jelik even before the 350-nautical mile race to Hainan from Hong Kong got under way. But he is determined this will be his year.
'I hope it is a case of third time lucky. In 1999, my sail broke just past Macau while last year the rudder broke just after the start,' Pong said.
Jelik is tipped to break the race record of 29 hours, 55 minutes and three seconds set by Sam Chan's Ffree Fire last year. But Pong is not looking so far ahead. He joked: 'Yes, I might break something.'
But David Kong, chairman of the China Coast Race Week organising committee, said Jelik was strongly favoured to smash the record. 'My guess is for Jelik to break the record and for Ffree Fire to come second. The forecast is for strong winds and we are expecting winds in the region of 15-25 knots which would mean a record time.'
Only nine boats will take part this year. Organisers had expected more boats from the Philippines, but three boats had pulled out as a result of the September 11 attacks. Ray Ordoveza's Karakoa will be the sole challenger from the Philippines.
The race will commence at 4pm today off East Lamma and should finish near Sanya, Hainan Island, by late tomorrow. The race is organised by the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club and the Chinese Yachting Association.
