Team Alive-Rampage claims China Sea Race line honours, but record remains intact
Phillip Turner and Noel Chan’s Reichel/Pugh 66 reaches the Philippines in elapsed time of 49 hours, 55 minutes and 57 seconds
Team Alive-Rampage claimed line honours in the 2026 Rolex China Sea Race from Hong Kong to the Philippines on Friday, although they fell short of beating their own 2016 record.
Phillip Turner and Noel Chan’s Reichel/Pugh 66 crossed the line in Subic Bay in an elapsed time of 49 hours, 55 minutes and 57 seconds, having led from almost the moment the fleet left Victoria Harbour on Wednesday.
Despite a strong early pace, the lighter winds around the notorious “Luzon Hole” claimed another record attempt, even if the speed was enough for a decisive line honours win.
Matt Humphries, the boat’s technician, said that although they finished 18 nautical miles short of breaking the record, the team was still happy with their performance.
“The boys pushed extremely hard,” Humphries said. “They fought for every mile and every minute. They were on fire, making sure we secured Line Honours and delivered a strong result.”
Australian skipper Duncan Hine said they had driven “the boat like we stole it”.