IRC Cruiser Preview

Tong Ran

Xiaotong Wu, owner of Dufour 500 TongRan (named after his children), explained that with an oven, BBQ and refrigerator, the boat is more appealing and has expanded his family's sailing possibilities, with his wife and children starting to join yacht racing with him. This year Wu will be joined by his daughter Xiaotong on board for her first blue water racing experience.

Inspired by Seawolf’s success in the Rolex China Sea Race 2016, taking IRC Overall 3rd place, Tong Ran entered the 2018 edition as the sole Chinese yacht. Despite being the last boat to cross the finishing line in the 2018 edition, they bounced back with an impressive performance in 2023, taking out IRC Premier 1st place and 4th IRC overall in 2023.

Rampage008

Noel Chan, owner of Rampage008, has been actively racing for 8 years and his fleet of Rampage boats are well recognised across Hong Kong waters. Fresh from taking the IRC overall win in the Sun Hung Kai & Co. Around the Island Race 2023 and Volvo China Coast Regatta, this semi-pro sailing team are aiming for a win at the Rolex China Sea Race. The first Rampage team joined the Rolex China Sea Race in 2018 onboard Rampage 2 - a HH42. Noel Chan has since acquired Rampage 88, a Judel and Vrolijk designed TP52 - formerly Zerocloud from Italy, battling it out against IRC 0 TP52’s in the 2023 edition. This year the Rampage team return to race a Beneteau first 45 and put out the challenge in the IRC Cruiser class.

Pacific Sunrise

Pacific Sunrise, Sun Odyssey 42ds, is skippered by the experienced Thomas Wiesinger a six -time competitor of the race. The boat had a full refit in the Philippines in 2022, returning to Hong Kong just in time to set up and take part in the 2023 edition, where they placed second in class.

As a heavy cruising boat, Pacific Sunrise relished in the heavy 40kts+ conditions encountered off Pratas Reef in 2023. With an IRC handicap that is quoted by the owner to be “the lowest known to man”, the prospect of an early race with similar conditions should be an opportunity for the boat to again shine.