The 7th edition of the Sun Hung Kai & Co. Hong Kong Race Week, incorporating the inaugural 29er Asian Championship, has roared back to life after a three-year hiatus thanks to Covid restrictions. The event finally got off to a cracking start today with lion dancers launching golden rabbits into the crowd.
Hong Kong Race Week Regatta Chairman Peter Davies, Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club Commodore Lucy Sutro, Hong Kong Sailing Federation President Cheung Meihan, Leisure and Cultural Services Department Senior Leisure Manager Alice Ho, Leisure and Cultural Services Department Assistant Leisure Manager I Chow Pui Na, Shenzhen Sailing Federation Secretary General Huang Yi Shao, Windsurfing Association of Hong Kong Executive Director Yu Wing Ho, Singapore Sailing Association Executive Director Terence Ho, Brendan McGraw, CFO of our title sponsor Sun Hung Kai & Co. attended the opening ceremony, with Shark sailors Alexandra Yam and Sveva Amadei welcoming all the sailors coming afar.
236 sailors are competing in what is already shaping up to be a fantastic event that runs from 14 to 19 February. 12 countries and regions are represented including Australia, Belgium, Chinese Taipei, Greece, Hong Kong (China), Japan, Mainland China, Macau (China), Singapore, Switzerland, Thailand and the USA, and all of the sailors are thrilled to get back to the best racing action in Asia.
Ten classes are competing on three race tracks and will sail up to 16 races over the Race Week. The classes include 29er, 2.4mR, ILCA 4, ILCA 6, Optimist Main Fleet, Optimist Intermediate Fleet, RS Feva along with development fleets of Optimist Green Fleet, Fusion Green Fleet and Pico Green Fleet.
Peter Davies said " we are thrilled to have Hong Kong Race Week back finally! How fantastic it is that Hong Kong has opened up in time for such a nice event, and we have more international entries this year."
Tomorrow looks to be an exciting day with good breeze forecasted across the race tracks.