HKRNVR Memorial Vase preview

The HKRNVR Memorial Vase © Koko Mueller / RHKYC

The HKRNVR Memorial Vase pursuit race is the finale of the Old Mutual Top Dog Trophy Series 2014-2015 which combines the results from the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club's quartet of pursuit races in order to identify Hong Kong's top helm for the season.

The last event is held in honour of the Hong Kong Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (HKRNVR), a defense force originally formed by members of the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club. The trophy was gifted in memory of all HKRNVR amateur sailors who engaged in regular patrol duties around the waters of Hong Kong to help ensure its security. The Deed of Gift contains the proviso that the race should take competitors into those waters once patrolled by the HKRNVR.

The HKRNVR Memorial Vase is a pursuit race, which is different to normal yacht racing. Competitors are given staggered start times under RHKATI handicap, ie. the slowest boats start first and then the faster boats set off in pursuit with the time delay between classes of boats being determined by their handicaps. If all boats are sailed equally well, they should (in theory) all finish at the same time.

Following the race, a prize presentation will be held at the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, with prizes to be awarded not only to the various winners of the HKRNVR Memorial Vase, but also the overall winner of the 2014-2015 Top Dog Trophy Series. The Top Skipper will be presented with a jacket from Thomas Pink, the British shirt maker and Official Apparel for the Series. Other prizes include holiday accommodation courtesy of Mr. & Mrs. Smith, the boutique hotel operator.

The post-race celebrations will also be supported by Mount Gay Rum, Peroni beer and Jax Coco coconut water.

Going into the HKRNVR Memorial Vase, the top ten 'Top Dog' contenders for 2014-2015 are:

Full details of the Old Mutual Top Dog Trophy Series, including current standings, can be found on the RHKYC website at www.rhkyc.org.hk/topdogtrophy.aspx