Eastern Asia Offshore Race - Day 2

30 hours into the Inaugural Eastern Asia Offshore Race and 9 of 14 boats are still racing.

A strong easterly airstream prevails in the 350 nautical mile yacht race from Hong Kong to Tainan, with boats reporting a northeastly breeze of 20 to 25kts on their first night of racing. With the weather front moving to the south, the boats were fighting with squally weather which thumped into the main body of the fleet. Even the bigger boats suffered from wind on the nose, with crew member on Parnassus saying "wish I was already in a bar in Tainan".

Unfortunately, AYA Cleanmax was forced to retire on Friday morning at 0950hrs with engine problems and is due back to Hong Kong with all on board safe and well.   Zoe, Arcturus+ and followed by Ocean's Five are also heading back to Hong Kong reporting all crew safe on board, leaving only 9 boats remaining in the race.

Those left have chosen a route south of the rhumb line beating up to Tainan in order to benefit from the wind curling through the Luzon Strait, giving a better angle to reach Tainan.

Among the fleet taking the southerly route, Chinese Taipei entry Gusty and Korean boat Random() have chosen the most southern route as Gutsy skipper Mondher Latiri explained ahead of the race, they preferred to stay away from the big waves near Penghu Islands.

At the head of the fleet, as of 1730hrs HKT on 30 May,2Easy and Zesst fighting neck to neck in IRC division and Fenice is looking strong in the IRC Cruiser division. Fenice has sailed half of their journey looking promising for taking the Line Honours.