Organised by Asian Sailing Federation (ASAF) and the Hong Kong Sailing Federation (HKSF) incorporating the second leg of the Asian Sailing Federation Youth Sailing Cup, the Hong Kong Race Week boasts of an entry list of 207 entries and over 240 competitors in twelve different one-design classes.

420 teams from Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong and Macau are competing.

Hosted at Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club's Middle Island facility based on the south side of Hong Kong Island, the event welcomes sailors and windsurfers from China, Chinese Taipei, India, Macau and the United Arab Emirates as well as from all of Hong Kong's sailing clubs. HKRW is particularly pleased to welcome back Hong Kong's Sailability competitors, who participated for the first time in 2014 and who are looking forward to compete at the 2.4mR keelboat championships later this year.

The Optimist class is also the largest fleet by participation, with 81 entries, followed by 20 in Laser (Radial), 18 in Laser 4.7 and 8 each in the 29er and 420 Classes. The Windsurfers are joining HKRW for the first time, with 29 entrants spread over three boards i.e. the RSX, Techno 293 and RS One. Female sailors make up of approximate 30% of the entry list, both in the adult and junior ranks. The Green Fleet Optimist sailors are the youngest in the competition with some of the sailors only 8 years old, while the main Optimist fleet runs from 9 to 14 years.

Dr. Malav Shroff, President ASAF said, "ASAF is delighted to note the enthusiasm of the ASAF MNAs in hosting the ASAF Youth Sailing Cup events. This will enable Asian Sailors to compete with each other on regular basis to raise overall standard of sailing in Asia. This series will also provide opportunities and platform for development of more technical officials in Asia."

Mr Warwick Downes, President HKSF, said, "I am pleased that the HKSF is able to join with the RHKYC and put on such an impressive event for youth sailors in the region. I wish the regatta goes well and fair winds to all!"

Drawn from throughout Hong Kong's sailing community, over 130 volunteers on and off the water will make this HKSF event possible over the course of the next six days. Sixty five volunteers are required on the water for each day of racing and an army of volunteers on shore will deal with registration and measurement on Thursday and Friday, then launch and retrieval for the practice race, followed by four full days of racing from Saturday until Tuesday.

More details can be found on event website www.hongkongraceweek.com

Source: Ajay Narang