IRC Overall winner, ZESST, during the 2025 Eastern Asia Offshore Race earlier this month. Photo © RHKYC / Ailsa Angus. Photo © RHKYC / Ailsa Angus.
ZESST wins IRC Overall, FENICE sets a course record, and RANDOM() claims a podium finish for South Korea.
The first-ever Eastern Asia Offshore Race, organized by the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club in partnership with Argo Yacht Club in Tainan, took competitors on a demanding 350-nautical-mile course from Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour to Tainan, Taiwan. Despite light winds at the start, the race soon evolved into a true offshore test, with shifting conditions, heavy rain, complex currents, and challenging seas. Among the fleet of 14 boats, three UK Sailmakers-powered teams stood out — and stood on the podium.
Team RANDOM() – IRC Overall 3rd Place
Representing South Korea, Team RANDOM() made a remarkable charge in the latter half of the race to claim IRC Overall 3rd Place. The team crossed the finish line at 13:16:30 on Sunday, closing the gap on the fleet during the final approach with tenacity and precision.
Skipper Hojun Song credited their performance to laser-sharp focus and teamwork:
“It was really intense with a lot of choppy waves and we broke one of our stays. As we were coming into the harbour, we thought we were dreaming. We didn’t think we’d make it before the cutoff. But we stayed close-hauled, fought the current, and gave it everything we had.”
RANDOM() sails with X-Drive upwind sails and Matrix spinnakers from UK Sailmakers Hong Kong — a durable, high-performance inventory that supported their resilience in tough offshore conditions.
Left: Team RANDOM() charging downwind during the Eastern Asia Offshore Race earlier this month. Photo © IG: @sailingteamrandom. Right: Team RANDOM() celebrating on the docks. Photo © RHKYC / Ailsa Angus.
FENICE – Line Honours, Race Record & IRC Cruiser Division Winner
Franco Cutrupia’s Solaris 60, FENICE, delivered a commanding performance, taking Line Honours, setting the race record, and winning the IRC Cruiser Division. The team crossed the finish line at 02:08:33 on June 1st with an elapsed time of 2 days, 14 hours, 48 minutes.
Team manager Rosario Pedicini reflected on their hard-fought win:
“It was very tough. We had rain, gusts up to 30 knots, and lost a halyard — but the boat and sails were in top condition. We were ready for anything, and the team was superbly organized. We were happy to be there and doing well so we enjoyed it a lot.”
FENICE’s offshore inventory includes Matrix spinnakers from UK Sailmakers, delivering the speed and durability needed to conquer a race of this calibre.
Left: The FENICE crew claimed line honors at the inaugural Eastern Asia Offshore Race earlier this month. Photo © RHKYC / Ailsa Angus. Right: Solaris 60, FENICE, at the 2024 Volvo China Coast Regatta. Photo © RHKYC / Guy Nowell.
ZESST – IRC Overall Winner
In one of the most impressive performances of the race, Henning Mueller’s Sun Fast 3600 ZESST took IRC Overall Winner, completing the course in 2 days, 17 hours, 22 minutes — less than three hours behind the much larger FENICE.
Mueller described the conditions as both exhilarating and brutal:
“It was hard pounding the entire time. Inside the boat, it felt like it might break apart — it was that rough. But we were determined. Even with some gear failure and one crew injury, we stuck it out and made it. We’re thrilled.”
ZESST sails with a full UK Sailmakers inventory, including sails built for strength, performance, and reliability across long offshore legs. Their win is a testament to their skill and preparation — and the sails that carried them there.
ZESST during the 2025 Eastern Asia Offshore Race earlier this month. Photo © RHKYC / Ailsa Angus.
Proud Partners in Performance
RANDOM(), FENICE, and ZESST — are valued customers of UK Sailmakers Hong Kong, each sailing with confidence on inventories custom-built for offshore success. From price-performing X-Drive to grand-prix Titanium and Matrix, these sails are built to handle everything from light-air starts to squall-filled nights.
We’re incredibly proud of these offshore sailors and extend congratulations to every team that took on this challenging new race. The Eastern Asia Offshore Race has quickly made its mark as a premier event in the region, and UK Sailmakers customers are already helping define its legacy.
The full IRC Overall results are available here.
