Tommy Bahama to sponsor RHKYC Around the Island Race 2012

by RHKYC and Sail-World Asia on 25 Oct 2012 The RHKYC's Around the Island Race is, de facto, the biggest sailing event in Hong Kong. 200-odd boats chase an often elusive breeze around the 26nm course 'leaving Hong Kong island to starboard'. RHKYC announced today that Tommy Bahama, a popular United States lifestyle brand, will be the Title Sponsor of the 2012 Around The Island Race.

Tommy Bahama, an island-inspired lifestyle brand that defines relaxed, sophisticated style in men’s and women’s sportswear, swimwear, accessories and footwear, is pleased to sponsor the 2012 Around the Island Race, which is the largest and most inclusive sailing and paddling event in Hong Kong.

'Being the Title Sponsor of the 2012 Around the Island Race is an ideal way to introduce the Tommy Bahama relaxed, island style to the Hong Kong market. We are proud to partner with The Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club to showcase such an exciting and competitive race,' said Raymond De Malherbe, Senior Managing Director of Tommy Bahama International.

This annual event starts in front of the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club’s Kellett Island in the heart of Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour, and sends the most wide-ranging fleet of boats, from 70 foot yachts to one-person dinghies, together with outrigger canoes and ocean rowing boats from the Club’s Middle Island base, starboard, on a 26nm circumnavigation.

'The Around The Island Race offers the biggest race fleet and the best of sailing in a fun but competitive atmosphere,' said Mark Bovaird, General Manager of the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club. 'The Tommy Bahama brand embodies this lifestyle and is the perfect partner for this mid-season event. Given their previous involvement in the Trans-Pac Race, we hope that this partnership will be the perfect platform to launch Tommy Bahama in Hong Kong and look forward to a long and mutually beneficial association with this company.'

The Tommy Bahama Around The Island Race 2012 will take place on 11 November. This year, around 1,400 sailors in over 240 sailing boats are expected to compete in 21 Classes and Divisions.