newly launched BMW 6 Series and MINI Cooper S Clubman display at RHKYC’s Kellett Island site during the BMW Autumn Regatta 2008.

After a tricky first day for the 2008 BMW Autumn Regatta at RHKYC, Sunday’s westerly wind was a little kinder, holding steady enough for two good races.  

With 10 knots in the Western reaches of the course area, Race Officer Bob Vart selected a Club start and a course which displayed all 93 boats to good effect in front of the Convention and Exhibition center and Hung Hom, not to mention around HMS Kent, a temporary visitor to the harbour. 

After a short course for the first race, to ensure results for all, a longer course was set in the same area of the Harbour for the third and final race of the Regatta. Ruffian, Pandora and Sonata classes were shortened before their final lap, however all other classes managed to complete their course, with racing finishing around 4.20pm. 

Information form RHKJC

Photo credit: Rolex / Carlo Borlenghi  

There's a saying in sailboat racing that if there's wind, then everyone is happy. It's safe to say that the competitors in the Rolex Big Boat Series were ecstatic with today's conditions of 8-10 knots in the morning, building to 15+ knots by early afternoon for the regatta's final race - known as the Bay Tour. The St. Francis Yacht Club (StFYC) Race Committee sent the 10 competing classes on courses ranging from 15.44 to 21.01 nautical miles. When it was all over, six of the 10 class winners were awarded one of the StFYC's Perpetual Trophies as well as a Steel Submariner Rolex timepiece in recognition of their accomplishments.