Hong Kong's biggest annual celebration of sail and paddle
by RHKYC Media 13 Nov 2015 07:32 GMT
15 November 2015
Around the Island 2014 in Hong Kong © RHKYC / Xaume Olleros
This coming Sunday, some 240 boats will line up in front of Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club in Causeway Bay for the start of the Marriott Rewards Around The Island Race, a 26nm clockwise circumnavigation of Hong Kong Island, first recorded as taking place in 1864 with an entry list of six boats.
With the first of 90 minutes of starts getting underway at 0830hrs, the first boats should finish their race around mid-day if the breeze delivers as forecast, however as all competitors race under handicap, the fleet will continue to finish throughout the afternoon until the cut-off time of 1700hrs. A team of around 50 volunteers will run safety and race management on and off the water.
Also challenging each other over the same distance, 11 coastal rowing boats and 22 outrigger canoes hailing from as far afield as Singapore, China and Chicago will start and finish their race at RHKYC's Middle Island sailing and rowing centre on the Hong Kong's south side. Throughout their race, the outrigger canoe crews must effect changeovers in the water, a tricky manoeuvre which requires each boat to be accompanied by its own safety team.
This iconic race is Hong Kong's largest exhibition of paddle and sail and is a 'must do' for water sports enthusiasts in the region. Marriott Rewards is an award winning loyalty programme and a recognised leader in the industry. These accolades make this program an ideal partner for the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club and the Around the Island Race, which boasts one of the largest race fleets of any event in the region – if not the largest!
Look out for the fleet at Hung Hom, Lei Yue Mun Gap, Stanley, Cyberport and Kennedy Town New Praya throughout the day!
In conjunction with their support of this major event, the Marriott Rewards team will be following competitors and volunteers via social media throughout the race weekend – from their final preparations to the race itself, and the post race celebration and prize giving on Monday 16 November.
To encourage the sharing of stories, great pictures and videos online, Marriott Rewards are offering a Flint Grill and Bar (J.W. Marriott, Admiralty) voucher valued up to HK$2,000 to a lucky winner. To be in the mix for this prize, users simply need to add the hashtag #MarriottRewardsAPAC to any of their social media posts.