Hong Kong industrialist Frank Pong owns and races a wide variety of boats. Lately he jumped into the RC 44 class, created by Russell Coutts with a full inventory of UK-Halsey MatriX Titanium sails. The boats are extremely high performance and look like half-scale America’s Cup class boats.
Pong’s first class event was the Malcesine Cup on Italy’s Lake Garda. The following report is from UK-Halsey Hong Kong’s Barry Hayes who sails with Frank: “The first half of the regatta was match racing, another first for Frank Pong and his team sailing KIKI, who are more used to racing Maxis. After two days and little wind the matches didn’t get fully finished, so highest points were taken, which gave Dean Baker the win. Frank Pong did a massive job, learning every step of the way. He proved that an owner driver can compete against some of the very best match races in the world: Russell Coutts, Dean Baker, Sebastien Col and Ray Davies.
“The event moved on to the fleet racing, which Frank Pong has much more experience with. The boats are hard work to sail; they have huge sail plans that are very responsive to constant sail trim. To get the most speed, the crew has to droop-hike – fully hiking over the side with just your feet the only part of your body in the boat and they are hooked under what ever line you can find like a jib sheet or running backstay. This is not every ones cup of tea.
“The class as a whole is very friendly and helpful. The standard of this class is the highest you can find. Every team offered to train with us to help us with crew work and rig tuning. Crew work is critical for the boat and there is no hand free -- even the tactician has to grind at mark roundings.
The boats have very little speed difference between them. Upwind in one race against ARTEMIS helmed by Dean Baker, TEAM JELIK was neck and neck for five minutes. Both teams were making constant adjustments; in the end ARTEMIS edged out with and extra crank on the runner. This is the closest and most technical racing you can find in the world shy of the America’s Cup itself. Gains and looses are all in the details, and the JELIK team have a lot to learn. “
About the RC 44 racing, Pong said, “This was my first regatta on an RC 44 and only the third match race in my life, so it is clear that I have a lot to lean, I am still in the “doing” stage of my sailing page, so I want to steer the boat, I would recommend to any owner to do the same, it is very intimidating at first but it is great.”
