Another HKSAR 25th Anniversary Race
by RHKYC Media 18 Jul 2022 23:47 PDT
17 July 2022
HKSAR 25th Anniversary Race © RHKYC / Nikki Claringbold
In celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club organised a series of sailing, rowing and paddle sports showcasing the Club’s core sports. On 17 July it was the turn of the sailors to compete in the HKSAR 25th Anniversary Yacht Race in Hong Kong’s iconic Victoria Harbour.
19 boats turned out for the event in typical summer conditions - soaring temperatures and 10 kts (gusting 14kts) of southern-westerly breeze at the ‘Club’ line in front of the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club's Kellett Island Clubhouse.
HKPN divisions started off first at 1405hrs, followed by two RHKATI divisions. With a racecourse similar to that of the Sunset Series, Race Officer David Norton sent the fleet on a triangle up to Wan Chai, across to Tsim Sha Tsui and downwind to Hung Hom, followed by a sausage between Wan Chai and Causeway Bay before heading back to the Club finish line. The race was also a welcome sight for members of the public on both sides of the Victoria Harbour watching the spectacle.
The wind became very patchy and dropped to around 8kts as the race progressed. With a considerable outgoing tide giving the fleet a very challenging time beating back up the harbour, the RO decided to shorten the course at the Club finish line. When the final results were in, Francis Ma’s To the Moon was crowned HKPN overall winner whilst K K Lee’s Rainbow Chaser took 1st place in ATI division.
"It was a challenging day for most of the sailors and a real test of everyone's patience and sailing skills," said RO Norton, adding, “This event was just like a Sunset Series, though much hotter, with a huge tide and patchy wind. Only half of the fleet managed to finish, and most of them were experienced sailors who knew how to hide from the ebbing tide. The persistence and determination of some of the boats in this tough situation is admirable. Still, it was a good day showcasing the main sports of the Club."
While the sailors took to the harbour, their family members joined in the celebrations onshore and enjoyed a day of fun with fair games, Hong Kong inspired street food, and various sporting opportunities including Squash, Bowling and Dragon boat tug of war in the swimming pool, or lending a hand to a beach cleanup, all part of the Family Day held at the Kellett Island Clubhouse.