Asian Sports Boat Championships 2010, 15-19 November at RHKYC
by Peter Backe, HK Sportsboats Association on 2 Mar 2010
The NZ designed Custard Truck bursts through the swell, Asia Int SB Champs 2007 Guy Nowell
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The Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club will host the Asian Sports Boat Championships, 15-19 November 2010, in Hong Kong. The last championships, held in 2007, was huge fun and highly competitive with many World European and Asian champions in attendance, not forgetting some Volvo Ocean Race skippers. The level of competition was intense in perfect 20 knots of breeze, and the exciting social programme was of epic proportions!
RHKYC has kindly allocated the week after the annual Ball and before the Tomes Cup and the Around the Island Race (in which 250 boats compete). Winds are usually around 15-20 knots and it will be sunny, guaranteed! We already have interest from New Zealand, Oman and Europe, and it is likely that the Longtze circuit teams from France will attend. There are over 30 sportsboats in Hong Kong and some will be available for charter, so we may well have over 60 boats on the start line. 'Judging by the last event it will be a highly competitive regatta' said Peter Backe, President of the Magic 25 and Sports Boat Association in Hong Kong.
November is the high point of the yachting calendar for Hong Kong, and this event is the second of the sportsboat regatta circuit for the Asia Pacific region. The event is becoming more international with entries likely from Europe, America and the Middle East.
The week kicks off with the annual Ball at RHKYC - one of Hong Kong’s finest parties - and will conclude with the Around the Island Race. On the lay-day various options will be given to visitors such as tours of Hong Kong, horse racing at Happy Valley, BBQs and junk trips. ?Racing will be predominantly sailed to the south of Hong Kong, off Lamma Island from the Middle Island base of the RHKYC. Passage races to and from the race course will take competitors through the spectacular Victoria Harbour, and we have planned Island races to show off our spectacular coastline and the excellent sea food at our island beach restaurants.
Handicaps will be under the Australian SMS system so everyone has a fair crack of the whip! The post-sailing events will be in keeping with the regatta and will be hosted by the RHKYC and other outlets. Lots of socializing is promised, to allow sailors to excel at what they do best!
For enquiries about registration, or if you are interested in sponsoring the event, please contact sportsboat@rhkyc.org.hk
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