| The latest sailing news from Asia and the world. |
28 Feb 2017 |
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  From Hong Kong to Hamilton Island – Raceweek, that is...
 | | Hong Kong Raceweek 2017 Guy Nowell / Hong Kong Race Week |
Hong Kong Raceweek: after just four years this regatta has established itself as the premier small boat regatta in Asia – there's nothing else that comes even close. It's jointly organised by the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club and the Hong Kong Sailing Federation, and involves four days of dinghy racing off the south side of Hong Kong, based out of the RHKYC's excellent facility at Middle Island. HKRW is a constituent part of the ASAF Youth Cup, and includes RS-X, RS-1 and Bic Techno 293 windsurfers, 470s, 420s, 29er, Laser Radial and 4.7, Optimists and the 2.4m class. 249 sailors racing 205 boats in 10 classes. Four racecourses, 121 starts (not including any recalls), and almost 100 volunteers. Conditions ranged from benign to feisty, and from glorious blue-sky sunshine to clagged-in 500m sea fog. For all the info, and to make sure you don't miss out in 2018, put a bookmark on www.hongkongraceweek.com. Daily race reports below, and a gallery of images at www.guynowell.com.
And for the record – no three-boat divisions, and no whining from competitors when they don't win. There are a few grown ups and some regattas in this part of the world that could learn a thing or two here.
 | | Beer time for thirsty sailors. Audi Hamilton Island Raceweek 2015. Guy Nowell © |
Sailors in Asia should take more notice of the Audi Hamilton Island Race Week. Amid the usual phrases about “sailing in paradise” etc there's an awful lot of truth. The Whitsundays are a properly fabulous cruising ground, and where there are lots of islands you can create lots of courses. Think Port Shelter in Hong Kong, on a much bigger scale, and add in substantially reliable breeze and Queensland winter sunshine, perfect. 250+ boats in the fleet. Some very seriously posh socials – the beautiful people from Sydney are falling over themselves to be at AHIRW, and they know how to party! And best of all, chartering a boat really is a piece of cake. Keep the budget under control by sleeping on board – the temperature is just right, there are General Stores right beside the marina, and the waterfront bar scene is a happenin' gig every night. Really, what are you waiting for?
World Sailing has awarded the next Youth Sailing Worlds to Sanya. “Sanya is an ambitious host city and has exceptional experience of running world class sailing events and welcoming international visitors,” says the press release. There's always great optimism expressed about sailing in China, but our experience is that it doesn't always come up to expectations. WS seem to be fixated on China, as if it were a goose about to lay huge clutches of golden eggs. Which, of course, is the point - money, not sailing.
Standing by on 72.
Guy Nowell, Asia Editor
Hong Kong Raceweek – plenty of breeze, and fog-
Guy Nowell, Sail-World Asia, 
Lots of boats out on the water for Hong Kong's no 1 dinghy regatta of the year, which is also a part of the Asian Sailing Federation Youth Cup. Lasers, Optimists, 29ers, windsurfers, 2.4m class, 420s, 470s, 200+ boats (who have I missed?).... [more]
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