Yachting: HiFi wins Hong Kong to Nha Trang race

Khanh Hoa (VNA) - Captain Neil Pryde and his crew of 11 on board the HiFi
are the winner of the VinaCapital Hong Kong to Vietnam Yacht Race 2008 in
the IRC-A category.

The HiFi boat from Hong Kong reached the finishing line in Nha Trang
Bay on Oct. 17, covering the 1,049 km distance in more than 56 hours of
sailing through challenging weather conditions.

Runners-up were the UK 's Island Fling and Freefire 52, also from Hong
Kong .

In the IRC-B category, Hong Kong 's Ambush came first, while three other
boats in the race including Miss Malona II, Shahtoosh and Thea had to drop
out, using their power engines as they were unable to catch any wind.

Ten boats initially departed Hong Kong for Nha Trang, but soon after the
departure the Chinese Ho Ho Ho had some technical problem and had to drop
out.

The race, co-organised by the Hong Kong Royal Yacht Club, Saigontourist and
the asset management group VinaCapital, attracted almost 100 sailors from
mainland China, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, the UK,
and others, on 10 yachts, including four veterans of the 2006 race: the
Freefire, HiFi, Island Fling and Shahtoosh.

Quach Due, who is an investment director at VinaCapital, is the first female
Vietnamese racer and was the only female participant. She joined the
Shahtoosh' crew.

The awards ceremony took place in Nha Trang on Oct. 19 night at the Nha
Trang Sailing Club after a yacht racing performance in front of the city
square in the afternoon.-Enditem