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Taipan Cup 2002

This is the first get together of HK’s Taipan’s in a very long time!  It is hoped the “Taipan Cup” will be contested annually. 

“Taipan Cup 2002” was brilliantly organized by Aberdeen Boat Club Commodore Jon Zinke (owner and skipper of winning boat “Naiad”) and ably promoted by Stephen Hilton (owner and skipper of “Ragamuffin”). 

Taipan Cup 2002 was held on the first part (Saturday) of the “ABC 2-Leg race” on May 25-26, 2002.  The race course started and finished at Middle Island and basically went down and back to Castle Rock.

A total of five Taipan’s raced in the Taipan Cup – “Naiad” (ABC), “Ragamuffin” (ABC), “Scheherazade” (HHYC), “Mystic” (Tai Tam), “Titanic” (TPBC).  The owners of “Xanadu” and “Great Transition” were present during the prize giving and curry buffet.  “Scrimshaw” cancelled due to work commitments.

Social side of meeting other Taipan owners and exchanging news was enjoyed by everyone.  Curry buffet and prize giving on Saturday night went well for everyone.  ABC Commodore had problems presenting the trophy to himself – and so asked the Vice-Commodore of ABC to do the honours.

Newest Taipan and winner of the “Taipan Cup 2002” was “Naiad” which was built in 1980 with an aluminium mast (first models had wooden masts) and configured from new for single handed sailing.  Skipper Jon Zinke was race official on the Sunday so he unfortunately could not complete the full 2 legs - or he would have undoubtedly won on Sunday too!  On the Saturday “Naiad” set a blistering pace to Castle Rock and seemed to have their own private wind all the way home!  The only other official finisher within the cutoff time was “Scheherazade” as the winds fell and most Taipans simply motored back to Middle Island.

The oldest Taipan came second in the Taipan Cup!  “Scheherazade” was built in 1972 and is owned and skippered by Paul Yeung in his first ever race!  This Taipan is also know affectionately to friends as “seasick” because of the registration number “C6”.  “Scheherazade” won a bottle of rum for being the oldest Taipan!  Well done! 

A very credible performance was the Dutch crew of “Mystic” who have only owned her for 3 weeks!  “Mystic” sailed well in both legs, but was hampered by a lack of a spinnaker pole.  “Mystic” finished just behind “Scheherazade” on the Saturday.

TPBC’s “Titanic” skippered by Paul Tarrant and crewed by Edmund Leung and Ringo Chau failed to finish on Saturday and won on Sunday with crew John Rhodes and Tristan Stewart. “Naiad” and “Scheherazade” did not contest the Sunday’s leg.  “Titanic” did win a bottle of rum for traveling the furthest distance to ABC.

Amazingly most Taipans seem to have recently been anti-fouled and had their exteriors well manicured.  Some crews were seen to be decked out with matching shirts sporting “Taipan Cup 2000” and their boat name – all matching colour schemes.  Perhaps a prize in future for the best maintained Taipan (and the winner is “Ragamuffin”!).

A great event for everyone!   Our collective thanks to ABC as the organizers.

Taipan’s are 28 foot sloop rigged GRP hulls with full keel.  They were locally made in Hong Kong at what is now the Regatta shipyard in Sai Kung.  Made from early 1970’s until 1980.  There were probably no more than about 60 Taipans made – of which there are still about 20 remaining in Hong Kong waters.

The next event is planned to be a rally to Mirs Bay or Sai Kung. 

Official results: