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Dinghy racing in Hong Kong
Words Arni Highfield
The first in a two-part series gives the low-down on the sport —what it’s all about and what the future holds for dinghy sailors.
Local regattas
There are two types of dinghy regatta: those organised by
the relevant class association, which obviously only includes
that class of boat, and those organised by the HKSF which
are multi-class events. These events depend mainly on
the yacht clubs and Sea School to host them and help
with the organisation, and the clubs take it in turn to host
national championships, as well as having their own regular
regattas. J-Asia and HKSSA jointly hosted the last Optimist
Championships—a first, and very welcome, effort to spread
the sport.
Optimists have eight local regattas per year, four class-only
and four more as part of a multi-class fleet. Since last year,
one single ranking is earned for Optimists based on results in
seven of those eight regattas allowing for a discarded result
and starting anew each 1 January. Other classes have differing
but similar ranking systems. Why have a ranking? Because
that is the way in which Hong Kong sailors can be fairly
selected for representative international events.
Other classes take part in HKSF regattas, and which ones
they are depends on who wants to enter. As I understand it, if
three or more boats of a class wish to participate, they will be
allowed to form a class and race dependent on the logistical
ability to accommodate them. Thus recent regattas have
included Access 303 and 2.4mR dinghies for disabled sailors.
There was a 470 class at Hong Kong Race Week in February.
Other common participants after the ubiquitous Optimists are
Lasers, 420s, 29ers and a few Bahias and Picos.
Hong Kong's competitiveness in this sport, especially in youth
classes, seems to be improving. Recent international events
have seen Hong Kong sailors in various classes achieve
competitive finishes, and a few medals against high-quality
opposition. Just as I am finishing this article, Calum Gregor
and Hugo Christensen have come third in the World 420
Championships, and Laser sailors have come in high positions
in major regattas. No less than 11 Hong Kong sailors are
competing in the UK National Optimist Championships. Since
the Hong Kong Sailing Federation's AGM last year, there seems
to be more government support too. Dinghy racing has just
been granted elite sport status. I felt it was time to refresh your
understanding about what this sport is all about.
General background
The rules of sailboat racing and its conduct are generally the
responsibility of the International Sailing Federation (ISAF).
Their homepage is a valuable source of information, and
the Hong Kong Sailing Federation (HKSF) is their accredited
representative here. Your Rear Commodore – Sailing is our
Club’s representative on that body. Additionally, individual
38 HEBE JEBES • SEP/OCT 2015
class associations may create special rules for their classes in
consultation with ISAF. There are world bodies for each class,
as far as I know, and national class associations in each country
where that class is sailed. For example, the largest single class
in the world is for the Optimist dinghy. Here represented by
Gregoire B Lecouture, Chairman, and Elberti Uiterwaal-Postma,
Secretary—both members of HHYC.
International regattas
There is a huge calendar of overseas events open to any
overseas sailor, just as many of our local events welcome
outside entrants. Your child could spend all year racing
somewhere. Clearly we tend to pick those events which are
important or which aid our sailor’s development. Hong Kong
classes routinely send a representative team to their respective
Asian Regional and World Championships.
There are limits to numbers and these can sometimes change
depending on the venue. Again, to quote Optimists, the
HKODA is normally permitted to send up to 10 sailors to
the Asian Championships and five to the Worlds, but does
not always send the full amount. These trips are not cheap
and rarely have any subsidies, so some turn them down,
and also there is a desire to send only competitive sailors.
Still, we have had some participation in all these events in
recent years. Results have been mixed but we have never
been embarrassed, and last year’s results in the Laser Radial
Worlds and the 420 Worlds were excellent—topped by our
recent bronze medal in the latter this year. As to ISAF events,
here the team is picked by the HKSF and there might be some
subsidy available.
In considering entry on a voluntary basis to open regattas, you
have to consider the costs obviously but you don’t want your
child to not be competitive, as that may be very discouraging.
Your team coaches are pretty knowledgeable about many of
these regattas, and can advise what to expect.
Despite these cautions, I would strongly recommend
participation in overseas events. We are a small pond here in
Hong Kong, and our best sailors find it too easy to finish near
the top of the fleet. Try recovering from a bad start in a topclass fleet and you quickly realise your limitations.
I must mention special events such as the Youth Worlds and
the Asian Games. The former is the premier dinghy event
organised by the ISAF—and doing well there is the steppingstone to Olympic entry. This year it is to be held in December
in Malaysia including 420s, 29ers, Laser Radials, Rsxs and the
catamaran class SL16. The Asian Games sailing has seen us
enter sailors, and we won a bronze medal in the 2,4mR class
at the Asian Para-games last year.
Closer to home, the Macau Regatta is an easier and fun event,
and regionally Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Japan offer
good regattas. The Top of the Gulf in Pattaya is excellent
though beware of high standards. Singapore and Malaysia are
two of the most competitive countries in Optimist sailing.
Hong Kong racing teams
Most racing teams are based at one of the three mai