Please select your home edition
Edition
Maritimo M50

Lightening the load?

by Guy Nowell 4 Apr 2019 23:15 PDT
Gear, including pipe cots, left behind during the first leg of the Round Hainan Race 2019. Were they on the Certificate? Yes © CBI

A few days ago Sail-World Asia published a story about the recent Round Hainan Race, which has proved to be highly inaccurate. We apologise for not checking more closely, but when World Sailing is the source you tend to go with the numbers. Won't make that mistake again. According to the WS press release, the race “was 1,040 nautical miles in total.” A quick visit to Google Earth indicates that Haikou to Sanya (leg 1) and then Sanya to Haikou (leg 2) involves about 430nm of sailing, so the inshore races must have been very long indeed!

In some bars the Round Hainan Race has acquired a less than enviable reputation for sharp practice among the participants. We know people who have sworn to “never go there again,” and heard numerous stories of engines being turned on during the night. Nothing provable, but not hard to work out.

And this year we have received from a friend a photo of a lot of gear that appears to have been removed from a boat for the Haikou-Sanya leg of the race. Our reporter advised the Jury, and check with the IRC Measurer in Hong Kong to confirm that the last time the boat was measured, pipe cots were “in”. All the Jury (Chairperson, Ana Maria Sanchez del Campo Ferrer, World Sailing Council, WS Executive Committee, WS Women's Forum) had to do was spot-check the boat when it arrived in Sanya, and cross-check with the certificate. This didn’t happen, and right now the Jury is not answering the phone.

Silence may be golden, but it is also self-damning. When someone reports a suspected breach of the rules to an International Jury, the very least they (the Jury) can do is to respond. If nothing else, it is politeness. Failing to respond means that they are either just plain rude, or else avoiding something. Or both.

Standing by on 72.

Guy Nowell, Asia Editor.

Related Articles

Legislation passed supporting US industry growth
A summary of news relevant to marine businesses across North America On Friday, President Trump signed what he referred to as "one big beautiful bill": legislation that preserves key provisions from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Job Act (TCJA). These provisions will continue to support growth. Posted on 9 Jul
Letter aims to reduce harm to U.S. Manufacturing
A summary of news relevant to marine businesses across North America NMMA joined 29 leading industry associations in a letter to U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick advocating for revisions to the Department of Commerce's implementation of Section 232 tariffs on steel, aluminum and related derivative products. Posted on 2 Jul
Despite world politics industry remains resolute
A summary of news relevant to marine businesses across North America As part of NMMA's continued advocacy efforts following the 2025 American Boating Congress (ABC), a group of NMMA leaders visited Capitol Hill last week to meet with Congressman Mike Collins (GA-10). Posted on 25 Jun
Major industry event updates in the USA and Europe
A summary of news relevant to marine businesses across North America The International BoatBuilders' Exhibition and Conference (IBEX), North America's premier technical trade event for the recreational marine industry announced today that registration for visitors is now open for this year's Show. Posted on 18 Jun
Maritimo M50 Flybridge & S60 Sedan Video
We speak to Maritimo's Neil McCabe & Phil Candler We talked to Neil McCabe, Maritimo's Design Office Manager, and Phil Candler, Maritimo's General Manager Operations, to find out more about the M50 Flybridge and S60 Sedan during the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show. Posted on 17 Jun
Room for industry optimism for the rest of 2025
A summary of news relevant to marine businesses across North America Despite varying economic factors across all states, the latest data from NMMA's Monthly Recreational Boating Industry Data Summary report offers a tempered view of the recreational boating market. Posted on 11 Jun
More confusion as tariff decisions overruled
A summary of news relevant to marine businesses across North America On May 30, President Donald Trump announced that Section 232 tariffs on imported steel and aluminum will double from 25% to 50%, effective Wednesday, June 4. The announcement was made during a speech at U.S. Steel's Mon Valley Works-Irvin Plant. Posted on 4 Jun
Event updates, new products and more
A summary of news relevant to marine businesses across North America The 2025 American Boating Congress (ABC) concluded last week in the nation's capital, bringing together marine industry leaders and policymakers for high-level discussions on the future of recreational boating and marine manufacturing. Posted on 28 May
Trade war continues but progress being made
A summary of news relevant to marine businesses across North America Following talks over the weekend in Geneva, Switzerland, the U.S. and China agreed to a 90-day pause on the ongoing trade war between both countries. Posted on 14 May
American Sportfishing Association urges action
A summary of news relevant to marine businesses across North America ASA President Glenn Hughes sent a letter to Trump Administration expressing support for its efforts to address global trade imbalances and strengthen U.S. competitiveness, while urging swift action to provide greater certainty and relief for ASA members. Posted on 7 May
RS Sailing 2021 - FOOTERSelden 2020 - FOOTERAllen Dynamic 40 Footer