Ericsson Inter-School Sailing Festival 2013, organised by RHKYC

by RHKYC Media on 6 Mar 2013 Ericsson, the world's leading provider of communications technology and services, is delighted to be on board as Title Sponsor of the 11th installment of the Inter-School Sailing Festival, an annual event organised by the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club. 24 teams comprising over 180 young sailors from local and international schools in Hong Kong and Macau will be competing in 120 races over the weekend of 9 and 10 March 2013 with racing on both days starting at 1000hrs.

Laurence McDonald, President of Ericsson Hong Kong and Macau, and an avid sailor himself, says, 'Young people, like each one of the sailors participating in the Inter-School Sailing Festival, are the future of our society. We are glad to have the opportunity to share with the youngsters, parents and educators during the event how Ericsson and technology help shape the way the world communicates. Education technology, connected learning and the rise of the Networked Society is transforming the established concept of learning, teachers’ roles and even the nature of knowledge itself. The challenges of a sailing race reflect many of the same values that Ericsson stands for: professionalism, respect and perseverance. Good luck to every young sailor!'

Teams are pitted against each other in a team racing format in two-handed dinghies - in this case, 24 dinghies are being used; 12 Fevas, 6 Q’bas and 6 Picos. Division A is sailed in Feva and Division B is sailed in Q’ba or Pico dinghies.

The closely contested racing will take place immediately in front of RHKYC’s Middle Island Clubhouse making for an exciting, spectator-friendly event from both sides of the race track - the Waterfront Promenade on Hong Kong Island or from Middle Island itself.

If previous years are anything to go by, racing will no doubt be very fierce and Hong Kong Sea School are set to defend their titles in both Division A and Division B.

On Sunday, the event will conclude with a prizegiving ceremony with Laurence McDonald presenting prizes.


RHKYC’s Sailing Development Manager, Richard Knight is looking forward to a busy weekend. 'This year the event has grown again. We are now really running at capacity, with 24 teams and 130 races over two days. We are very pleased to welcome Ericsson onboard this year as title sponsor as well as our longstanding supporters, Neil Pryde’s Adventure Sports and the Aberdeen Boat Club who continue to play a key part in the success of the event.'

2013 Entry List

Div A Feva Division

1. Kellett School

2. South Island School A

3. Island School A

4. French International School

5. Hong Kong Schools Sailing Association

6. Operation Breakthrough

7. Hong Kong Sea School A

8. Canadian International School A

9. Chinese International School A

10. Sha Tin College

11. Macau Anglican College

12. KGV A

Div B Q’ba/Pico Division

1. Jockey Club Ti-I College

2. Hong Kong Sea School B

3. Associacao de Vela de Macau

4. Kellett School B

5. South Island School B

6. Island School B

7. Chinese International School B

8. HK and ISF Academy

9. Hong Kong Sea School C

10. Renaissance College

11. Canadian International School

12. KGV B


Past Winners
Division A Division B Boats Used
2012 Hong Kong Sea School Hong Kong Sea School 12 Feva / 6 Q'ba / 6 Pico
2011 South Island School Hong Kong Sea School 12 Feva / 12 Q'ba
2010 Island School West Island School 12 Feva / 6 Q'ba / 6 Pico
2009 Hong Kong Sea School French International School 12 Feva / 12 Topaz
2008 Hong Kong Sea School 12 Topaz
2007 Island School
12 Topaz

An Insight into Team Racing from ISAF

The recognised format for the Team Racing World Championship involves racing in two-handed dinghies,
three a side. The boats are provided by the organisers to ensure that they are evenly matched, and should be of a type that can be sailed effectively without there being a premium on strength or an optimum weight.

The two teams of three race to try and achieve a winning combination of places – the lowest score wins. The scoring system is usually: first place – 1 point, second place – 2 points, third place – 3 points and so on. A team that scores ten or less is therefore the winner, so that 2,3,4 beats 1,5,6 – being first past the post does not guarantee glory! If a team is lying say 1,4,6 the leading boat will go back and try to help his team-mates through to 2,3,5 or better and to do this, he has two main weapons. Firstly, he can position his boat between the wind and his opponent, thus blanketing his sails and slowing him down. Secondly, he can use the right-of-way rules to his advantage, approaching his opponents in such a way that his adversary has to change course or incur a penalty. Both these weapons are deployed even before the start when the manoeuvres begin, much as in match racing, but with six boats rather than two performing an intricate and aggressive dance. To maintain order, and keep everyone out of the protest room, the racing is followed by umpires in small inflatables. If protested against, a competitor can accept his punishment and complete a 360° turn or he can wait for the umpires to give a decision which may result in a green flag for ‘no penalty’ or a 720° turn if the protest is upheld. Everything happens very quickly and there is no better school for tactical decision-making and understanding of the rules.