Team Alive-Rampage takes Line Honours in the 2026 Rolex China Sea Race
by Vivian Ngan 6 Mar 02:47 PST
6 March 2026
2026 Rolex China Sea Race - Day 3 © Rolex / Andrea Francolini
Phillip Turner and Noel Chan's Reichel/Pugh 66 Team Alive-Rampage crossed the finish line at Subic Bay on Friday 6 March at 13:15:08, claiming Line Honours in the 2026 Rolex China Sea Race from Hong Kong to Subic Bay.
It was a tense and exciting morning for race followers, as all eyes were on Team Alive-Rampage to see whether they could challenge their own long-standing race record set in 2016. The team had led the fleet on the water since departing Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour on Wednesday 4 March, pushing hard along the southernmost section of the rhumb line and building a commanding 20 nm lead over Centennial V.
The China Sea Race is renowned for its tactical complexity. As the leaders approached Subic Bay, the prevailing northeasterly breeze often bends around the northern tip of Luzon, creating an area of lighter, more unstable winds. Once again, the front-runners found themselves navigating this notorious "Luzon Hole", where many promising record attempts have slowed in previous years.
Despite their strong early pace, Team Alive-Rampage eventually crossed the finish line at 13:15:57 on Friday 6 March, recording an elapsed time of 49 hours 55 minutes 57 seconds — fast enough for a decisive Line Honours victory, but just short of eclipsing their 2016 benchmark.
Matt Humphries, technician on board Team Alive-Rampage, said that although they finished 18nm short of breaking the race record, the team was still very pleased with their performance.
"We wanted to bank a little bit of a southerly route to make sure we didn't fall into a bad transition or a hole coming into Subic Bay. That part actually went very well for us — we didn't have to sail upwind at the end. The boys pushed extremely hard; 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 echoed Humphries's satisfaction with how the race unfolded: "We had a lot of fun. You set out a plan, you work through it, and we basically drove the boat like we stole it." Hine also spoke highly of the collaboration between Alive and Rampage: "The culture between the two teams has been phenomenal. We've thoroughly enjoyed this venture. It was something completely new — this is the first time Alive has ever had another team involved in the programme. And looking ahead, I can't see why we couldn't do it again with Rampage, or even with another team."
Second to cross the line was Standard Insurance Centennial V, Ernesto Echauz's Reichel/Pugh 75 and the 2023 Line Honours winner. Choosing a route closer to the coast to take advantage of the developing sea breeze, she finished at 15:43:48 on Friday 6 March.
Echauz praised the decision to bring the race forward, calling it an excellent move. "It was a very good race—an excellent race. The wind was strong, and we finished in just a little over two days, which is really very fast. There were only about two hours where we didn't move, or moved very slowly, but after that everything was fine from start to finish. So it was a good thing the race was moved to March, when the wind conditions are much better. Fantastic."
As Centennial V and Team Alive-Rampage celebrated their arrivals, the battle further offshore intensified. The defending Line Honours and IRC Overall champion, the TP52 Happy Go, was locked in a dramatic, neck-and-neck duel with fellow TP52 Standard Insurance Centennial VII. The two boats traded the lead repeatedly, but in the final two hours Happy Go found an extra gear, ultimately edging out Centennial VII by 41 minutes at the finish.
With the front of the fleet now safely ashore, attention shifts to the battle for IRC Division 0 and IRC Overall Honours — where Seawolf remains the boat everyone is watching.
In IRC Division 1, both Zesst and Zoe's Guard continue to deliver strong performances, trading pressure throughout the race. Meanwhile, in the IRC Premier Division, Fenice has been steadily gaining ground, while Lisa Elaine continues to sail impressively and hold her position among the leaders.
Race action is being tracked by Yellowbrick Tracking and is being shown live at www.rolexchinasearace.com - the Race can also be followed on the YB Race Viewer App.
For more information about Rolex China Sea Race 2026, please visit www.rolexchinasearace.com.