2020 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Cup Regatta & Macao Cup International Regatta
by Guy Nowell 9 Jan 2020 04:51 NZDT
9-12 January 2020
2020 Macao Cup International Regatta. Press Conference © Guy Nowell / Macao Cup
Asia's longest-named regatta starts tomorrow. It hasn't started yet, so there's not a great deal to report. Registration. A press conference to further introduce the concept of yacht racing to the local media.
A Skippers' Briefing to remind the IRC and Beneteau 40.7 competitors to observe correct traffic regulations when exiting Fisherman's Wharf and heading out to the racing area. Anyone who has visited Macao knows that the jetfoil and jetcat ferry traffic incoming from Hong Kong is intense, to say the least, and like the Manly ferry, it doesn't give way.
There wasn't any racing going on, but the Harbourview Hotel, de facto regatta headquarters, had a good buzz going - the complete opposite of the terrible quiet that you find at a familiar regatta venue when there's no regatta in progress.
Tomorrow's official proceedings will start with a parade of sail along the Macao waterfront from Fisherman's Wharf to the Macau Tower and back again. Then the keelboat divisions will head out to sea and south towards the racecourse, while the Hobie fleet will muster and race windward-leeward courses in between the first two of Macao's bridges.
The weather forecast is good for the next couple of days, with a strong easterly coming across the Pearl Estuary to get things moving. Let's go sailing!
All other information at www.macaoregatta.com