Ericsson Inter-School Sailing Festival Preview

The Ericsson Inter-School Sailing Festival takes place on 9-10 March © RHKYC

Ericsson, the world's leading provider of communications technology and services, is delighted to be on board as Title Sponsor of the 11th instalment of the Inter-School Sailing Festival, an annual event organised by the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club.

24 teams comprising over 180 young sailors from local and international schools in Hong Kong and Macau will be competing in 120 races over the weekend of 9 and 10 March 2013 with racing on both days starting at 1000hrs.

Laurence McDonald, President of Ericsson Hong Kong and Macau, and an avid sailor himself, says, "Young people, like each one of the sailors participating in the Inter-School Sailing Festival, are the future of our society. We are glad to have the opportunity to share with the youngsters, parents and educators during the event how Ericsson and technology help shape the way the world communicates. Education technology, connected learning and the rise of the Networked Society is transforming the established concept of learning, teachers' roles and even the nature of knowledge itself. The challenges of a sailing race reflect many of the same values that Ericsson stands for: professionalism, respect and perseverance. Good luck to every young sailor!"

Teams are pitted against each other in a team racing format in two-handed dinghies - in this case, 24 dinghies are being used; 12 Fevas, 6 Q'bas and 6 Picos. Division A is sailed in Feva and Division B is sailed in Q'ba or Pico dinghies.

The closely contested racing will take place immediately in front of RHKYC's Middle Island Clubhouse making for an exciting, spectator-friendly event from both sides of the race track - the Waterfront Promenade on Hong Kong Island or from Middle Island itself.

If previous years are anything to go by, racing will no doubt be very fierce and Hong Kong Sea School are set to defend their titles in both Division A and Division B.

On Sunday, the event will conclude with a prizegiving ceremony with Laurence McDonald presenting prizes.

RHKYC's Sailing Development Manager, Richard Knight is looking forward to the busy weekend; "This year the event has grown again, we now really are running at capacity with 24 teams and 130 races over two days. We are very pleased to welcome Ericsson onboard this year as title sponsor as well as our longstanding supporters, Neil Pryde's Adventure Sports and the Aberdeen Boat Club who continue to play a key part in the event's success."

2013 Entry List:

Div A Feva Division
1. Kellett School
2. South Island School A
3. Island School A
4. French International School
5. Hong Kong Schools Sailing Association
6. Operation Breakthrough
7. Hong Kong Sea School A
8. Canadian International School A
9. Chinese International School A
10. Sha Tin College
11. Macau Anglican College
12. KGV A

Div B Q’ba/Pico Division
1. Jockey Club Ti-I College
2. Hong Kong Sea School B
3. Associacao de Vela de Macau
4. Kellett School B
5. South Island School B
6. Island School B
7. Chinese International School B
8. HK and ISF Academy
9. Hong Kong Sea School C
10. Renaissance College
11. Canadian International School
12. KGV B

Past Winners: