Hebe Jebes May/Jun 2014 | Page 48

FEATURES Features SAILABILITY’s landmark Day HHYC OPEN DAY SEES LAUNCH OF ACcESS 303s March 22 2014—Hebe Haven Yacht Club’s Open Day—was a wonderful landmark day for Sailability. We received (and launched) three Access 303 Wide dinghies, heralding a new era in the centuries-old history of sailing in Hong Kong! The dinghies were gifted to Sailability by the leading and most significant sailing organisations in Hong Kong—Hebe Haven Yacht Club, the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club and the Aberdeen Boat Club. The three new boats have doubled Sailability’s Access 303 ‘fleet’ to six! This is a significant enhancement which not only opens up more opportunities for special needs and socially-challenged sailors to enjoy the magic of sailing, but also doubles the chance of Hong Kong scoring an international first in the Asian Para Games to be held in Korea this coming October. “The three clubs joining together and giving us the dinghies is a simply superlative gesture on the part of each of the clubs,” commented Mike Rawbone, Chairman of Sailability. He added, “It also heavily underlines the surge in active interest in sailing that is taking place throughout Hong Kong right across the community. The feedback we are getting at Sailability is nothing but positive not only from the participants, but also parents, experienced sailors, school teachers, social experts and our treasured volunteers.” John Berry, Commodore of the Aberdeen Boat Club, accompanied by their General Manager, Philippe de Manny, said after naming his club’s royal-blue 303 dinghy ABC, “We are all in admiration of what Sailability is doing and what it is achieving for the whole community and especially the sailing community in Hong Kong.” His comments were echoed by Ambrose Ho, former Commodore of the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, and now Chairman of the RHKYC’s Charity Foundation. He named the RHKYC’s stunning golden orange-coloured dinghy Xiwang—‘Hope’! Kay Rawbone, who named and launched HHYC’s Pink Dolphin, said, “We are so happy and proud that Sailability is helping so many people who otherwise would miss so much in life enjoy the excitement and thrills of sailing!” Sailability’s next step is to accept delivery within the next two months of three 2.4mR fixed keel dinghies. This will score another first for Hong Kong in its preparation for the Asian Para Games and will fulfil another aim—to play a major sailing role in the Paralympic Games’ sailing events scheduled to take place in two years’ time. “Our first aim is to achieve and get a significant placing in the approaching Asian Para Games. The rules for the race events and the participants are strict and stringent. We have to cope with these when making our selection of competitors and ensure we qualify,” said Mike Rawbone. 3月22日是白沙灣遊艇會一年一度開放日,對「航能」 (Sailability)來說別具意義,「航能」於當天正式接收三艘 Access 303小艇,這也為香港百年航行史揭開新一頁。因為這 三艘船是由香港三個主要航行機構:白沙灣遊艇會、皇家香港 遊艇會及香港仔遊艇會致送給香港「航能」的禮物! 「航能」的Access 303船隊也由三艘增至六艘,即代表著更多 有特殊需要的船員可以享受航海的樂趣,亦令「航能」香港代 表隊於十月在南韓仁川舉行的亞洲殘疾人運動會獲勝的機會增 加一倍! 「航能」主席Mike Rawbone表示:「幾間遊艇會連結起來給 予我們這些帆船真是最好不過。這亦代表了香港社區各層面在 帆船運動上的興趣愈來愈大。 「航能」一直得到正面的回饋, 這些回應不單來自參與者,更來自選手的家長、有經驗的航海 員、學校老師、社會學家及我們寶貴的義工。」 香港仔遊艇會主席John Berry,在總經理Philippe de Manny 的陪同下出席當天儀式,並將其船會捐出的寶藍色Access 303 命名為"ABC"。他說:「我們很敬佩『航能』所做的一切及 他們在香港航海界所作出的貢獻。」 Snip, snip and they are away! Naming and launching the Access 303s (L—R) Kay Rawbone, S