2nd Inter-Club Commodores’ Forum

by Sail World Asia on 2 Jun 2006 From 27-30 May 2006 the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club hosted the 2nd Inter-Club Commodores' Forum. Inaugurated by the Royal Vancouver YC last year, the Forum provides an opportunity for Yacht Club Commodores and Flag Officers to meet and exchange information and ideas on topics of mutual interest.

The Forum opened with a flag-raising ceremony and traditional Chinese lion dance on the evening of Saturday 27 May, and continued on Sunday with the inaugural Commodores' forum Cup, raced on Hong Kong harbour in Etchells 22s (see separate story).

The programme for Monday and Tuesday consisted of two days of panel discussions, which brought together Commodores from Europe, North America, Australasia, South Africa and Asia.

The first panel discussion was on ‘Strengthening International Ties’. Moderator for the session was Fred Kinmonth and the six speakers presenting were Sir Nigel Southward, Lowell Chang, Vic Locke, Santi Kanchanabandhu, Olivier Decamps, Li Quanhai and Heinz Rautenberg.

Opening the session was Vice-Commodore of the Royal Yacht Squadron, Sir Nigel Southward, who introduced the RYS’s most famous regatta, Cowes Week. Sir Nigel explained how this regatta is a co-operative effort between 10 member Clubs in Cowes. Run from a purpose-built regatta centre that provides a first class venue, this event has over 1,000 boats racing in 37 classes. But this event is not just about racing: it is a huge and successful festival, and Cowes (which is only a small town) hosts over 8,500 competitors and 10,000 spectators for the week-long regatta.

'This is one of the largest participation sporting events in the world, and it generates a great deal of media interest with over 500 accredited media at the event. The benefits to the current sponsor, Skandia, are unquestionable, and it generates a great deal of income for the local economy.' Sir Nigel concluded 'sailing has over the past few years had a significantly higher profile in the media. All Clubs will benefit from this renewed popularity, and we commended the RHKYC for having the foresight to hold this Forum.'

Lowell Chang, Past Commodore of the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, explored the importance of Interports as a significant way of strengthening international ties between Clubs. Since 1952 the RHKYC has had an active programme of Interport Regattas, and Club members have forged close relationships with several international clubs as a result. ' Fun is the most important aspects of these regattas, and although it is the competitive racing that initially attracts the participants, it is the social scene and the chance to meet fellow sailors from different cultures that is one of the major benefits of Interports.'

Cross-cultural experiences were also seen as one of the major attractions for participants who take part in regattas held in the South- East Asian region. Vic Locke (another Past Commodore of the RHKYC, and founder of the San Fernando Race) highlighted the many attractions of sailing in the region. Warm tropical waters, a relaxed atmosphere and inexpensive cost of living means more and more participants are drawn to the Far East. Blue water classics such as the China Sea Race take sailors even further offshore than the Sydney to Hobart Race, and Locke said, 'there is little that can compete with sailing in the South China Sea under moonlight in warm tropical conditions.' He believes that the San Fernando Race (which alternates annually with the China Sea Race) is successful because 'there is not much to do at the other end except sit in a tropical bar and exchange race stories while enjoying the medicinal benefits of the local rum.'

According to Santi Kanchanabandhu, Commodore of the Royal Varuna Yacht Club (Thailand), the attraction of sailing in a tropical paradise is also the key to one of Asia’s most successful regattas. The Phuket King’s Cup has grown from a handful of competitors in 1987 to a week-long event that sees a fleet of 80-100 boats enjoying competitive racing and magnificent parties. 2006 will see the celebration of 20 years of the King’s Cup, His Majesty the King of Thailand’s 80th birthday, and the 60th anniversary of his accession to the throne. Kanchanabandhu believes that this year’s regatta will be bigger than ever. 'The event not only promotes sailing, but is a major boost to tourism on the island. A new Sunsail charter fleet has recently become available and international competitors are proving that this is a popular addition to racing classes.'

Yacht chartering was the theme for the next speaker’s presentation. Olivier Decamps (Sales Director for Simpson Marine, agents for Beneteau in Asia) highlighted the need for a competitive racing fleet in the Asian region. ' Such boats need to be suited for the ‘light airs’ Asian sailing conditions, and presently the only boats available for charter are cruising boats.' Decamps believes that there is a growing interest in developing a racing fleet that can be sailed in the various regattas in the region, and the expansion of the Asian racing circuit. Many people are now looking to charter rather than buy boats for racing. 'Asia is years behind the European market in this area. Until now people have preferred to own their boats rather than charter, but if a competitive one design fleet, such as the First 44.7 were adopted, then racing such a charter fleet would encourage top-flight sailors to compete on level terms.'

Sailing on a competitive level still has a long way to go in China, according to speaker Li Quanhai, Deputy Director, China Water Sports Administration. Li explained that sailing, as a leisure sport is still new to the Chinese. 'I have been involved in sailing for over 20 years, and even I am surprised at the speed of the development of the sport in this country.' Mainland China has 18,000 km of coastline and over 6,500 islands, and these water resources offer ideal conditions for cruising and racing. Li explained that it has only been due to the recent improvement in people’s living standards that there has been an associated interest in sporting activities. 'This is especially evident in the coastal regions, with the development of international-standard marinas such as the Qingdao International Yachting Club, Shenzhen Yacht Club, and an aquatic Olympic park that is currently under construction in Rizhao, in Shangdong Province.

'Unlike Europeans who start sailing as children and then progress to bigger boats, we Chinese have embraced sailing at all levels.' China has an entry in the current America’s Cup, China Team, a partnership with the French AC sailing team Le Defi. Li did point out that one of the factors hindering the development of sailing in China is the lack of small to medium size sailing clubs. Li believes that China’s recent exposure to sailing such as its involvement in the America’s Cup, the recent visit of Ellen MacArthur during her Asian Record Circuit, and international regattas including the Hong Kong to Hainan Race all promote sailing to the Chinese population. According to Li sailing is definitely 'taking off' in China.

The final speaker for this session was Heinz Rautenberg, Past Commodore of the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club. RVYC hosted the Inaugural Commodores’ Forum in 2005, and their vision at that time included the establishment of International Council of Yacht Clubs. It was proposed that the objectives of this Council should be the development and encouragement of fellowship among yacht clubs, the discussion of topics of mutual interest and delivery of increased benefits to ICYC members. It was envisioned that the activities of the Council could include conducting forums, facilitating joint activities such as rallies, cruises and Interports, and any other activities consistent with the objectives of the ICYC. Rautenberg briefly outlined the benefits, eligibility, and structure of the proposed ICYC and asked delegates to consider