Volvo Autumn Regatta Attracts Record 113 Teams; Australian Sailors Praise Scale of HK Event
SingTao · 2 SOURCESabout 4 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
The Volvo Autumn Regatta, organized by the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, concluded on September 19 with a record-breaking 113 participating teams and over 600 sailors competing in Victoria Harbour . Nineteen sailors from the Royal Perth Yacht Club in Australia made a special trip to Hong Kong for the event, expressing amazement at the scale and vibrancy of the local sailing community . The competition, held across nine categories with courses spanning Hung Hom to Taikoo Shing and Shau Kei Wan, marked the official opening of the 2026-2027 sailing season .
Key Points
- The regatta originally scheduled for Saturday and Sunday was condensed to Saturday only out of respect for the funeral of former Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa, scheduled for Sunday
- Australian visitors Mark Dymond and Simon Cosoli competed aboard "Rampage 28," noting that Perth's busiest sailing days typically see only about 80 boats—far fewer than Hong Kong's turnout
- The Australian team fielded three vessels in the large boat categories: "Can't Be Slow," "Rampage 28," and "MNOG One," finishing second, sixth, and seventh respectively in their respective groups
- Local sailor Noel Chan Wai-chak successfully defended his title in the Large Boat Race Group 0 aboard "Rampage 38," having remained active during the traditionally slower summer months
- Beyond competition, the Australian visitors explored Lantau Island by sailboat and dined on seafood, describing the scenery as particularly captivating with sunset views over the city
Why It Matters
The record participation numbers signal Hong Kong's growing stature as a premier sailing destination in the Asia-Pacific region, while the international turnout from Perth demonstrates the event's ability to attract overseas athletes and foster cross-border sporting connections that could boost marine tourism and strengthen the local sailing community's global profile .
The record participation numbers signal Hong Kong's growing stature as a premier sailing destination in the Asia-Pacific region, while the international turnout from Perth demonstrates the event's ability to attract overseas athletes and foster cross-border sporting connections that could boost marine tourism and strengthen the local sailing community's global profile .