Shenzhen Hong Kong International Regatta

by Guy Nowell on 1 Jul 2005 The Sinolink Mangrove West Coast Shenzhen Hong Kong International Regatta starts today with a passage race of 35 nm from the Eastern Approaches of Hong Kong to Longcheer Yacht Club in Daya Bay, China.

At a press conference yesterday Dr Y K Szeto, Chairman of the RHKYC China Committee said, ‘we hope that this event will serve as a catalyst for the development of further events involving Hong Kong and China.’ Szeto was referring to the China Yachting Association initiative behind a proposed series of regattas involving the nine coastal provinces of China, plus the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau.

The Hong Kong Shenzhen International is to be a ‘trial run’ for the planned future event, to be called the Mayors’ Cup Regatta.

40 boats and almost 350 participants will race tomorrow, and at a welcoming party at the RHKYC tonight Karl Kwok, President of the Hong Kong Sailing Federation, said that he was delighted to see the level of support given to this new event by the local yachting community. ‘Some of Hong Kong’s top racing boats are participating in this event, and I am sure that it is set to become a regular and popular fixture on the China Coast racing calendar.’