Inaugural Hong Kong Kettle 9-19 Oct 2014

by RHKYC Media on 27 Jan 2014 Organised by Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, the inaugural Hong Kong Kettle will take place this coming October in and around Hong Kong, encompassing the around-the-cans excitement of China Coast Regatta, the tactical challenge of an A to A offshore race of not less than 225nm and a 26nm circumnavigation of Hong Kong Island. The inspiration for this biennial event came from the great regattas of past eras, which represented the pinnacle of big boat racing – Admiral’s Cup, Kenwood Cup, Sardinia Cup and Southern Cross Cup to name but a few.

Masterminding this new event is Drew Taylor, RHKYC Sailing Development Chairman and co-owner of Mills 41 Ambush.
Says Taylor, 'the success of the Commodore's Cup and NYYC Invitational Regatta suggests that there is still demand from yachties to represent their club or country on an international playing ground. The regatta is aimed at owners and crew located in the Asia Pacific region and recognises the need for smaller (two boat) teams and a mixture of corinthians and professionals in the crew without allowing fully professional programmes. RHKYC is developing this event to fill a void for those in the Asia Pacific who find the Commodores’ Cup in England appealing, but difficult to enter due to logistics and cost.'

China Coast Regatta (www.chinacoastregatta.com) is RHKYC’s flagship big boat regatta, however Taylor is adamant that ‘the Kettle’ augments that competition in the same way that the Admiral’s Cup added to Cowes Week in the United Kingdom. It also introduces an element of camaraderie into the competition, as two boats compete together as a team, vying for national pride rather than individual glory.

With entries invited from teams of two boats with endorsed IRC ratings of between 1.020 and 1.200, a rating envelope ideally suited to Hong Kong’s burgeoning fleet of 35 to 45 footers, Taylor is upbeat about attracting overseas entries, noting that: 'as a host country, Hong Kong has the greatest number of Charter options in Asia ... We could expect to see teams from Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, China and the Philippines. We would also like to see representation from Japan, Australia and New Zealand.'Individual countries can enter multiple teams and RHKYC will be building up a list of available charters for overseas competitors, which will not include Ambush as Taylor has every intention of competing.

The sailing conditions in Hong Kong in October are ideal for big boat sailing, offering breeze typically in the high teens, temperatures in the high 20’s and an immense variety of sailing areas and scenery. Hong Kong is also very well known for its après sail, and a competitive social schedule will also be factored into the event.

The Notice of Race for the Hong Kong Kettle, together with entry forms, can be found on the event website at www.hongkongkettle.com – parties wishing to register their interest should contact the RHKYC Sailing Manager, Alex Johnston at Alex.Johnston@rhkyc.org.hk or call +852 2239 0362.