Ahoy! May 2023

Vice

34. Advertising or Editorial Enquiries contact RHKYC PR Department at prdept@rhkyc.org.hk Ahoy! Design Carmen Wong, MYND Design. Articles for Ahoy! can be emailed to prdept@rhkyc.org.hk The Club reserves the right to edit articles. All opinions expressed in this publication are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect the views of the General Committee of the RHKYC. The e-version of the magazine (and back copies) are on the RHKYC website. The Ahoy! magazine is saddle-stitched and printed on Forest Stewardship Council® rated mixed pulp paper (meaning that the paper is made of responsibly sourced wood fiber) and all printing and finishes, including the cover, use varnish oil which is water soluble and non-VOC.

please refer to the Club Directory on

Patrons Jimmy Farquhar and Lowell Chang; Commodore Lucy Sutro; Vice Commodore Adrian Pang; Rear Commodore Sailing David Norton; Rear Commodore Club Mark Parker; Honorary Secretary Bo Lee; Honorary Treasurer Joseph Chu; Rowing Captain Judy Chan. For other Club contact details

page

Commodore’s Message

Congratulations to all of the sailors who competed in the 2023 Rolex China Sea Race over Easter, and particularly to Nick Southward and the crew of Whiskey Jack for winning the Race. I was lucky enough to participate in the Race as one of the crew on Tom Attenborough’s Parnassus on my first Category 1 offshore race, and now understand why sailors love offshore racing. A full write up of the Race will feature in a future issue of Ahoy!

Sailing can be enjoyed by anyone, whether choosing to sail for recreation or to compete. Here at the Club we are always striving to make the sport accessible to all, regardless of age, gender or ability. A perfect opportunity for this is the up-coming Steering the Course Women’s Sailing Festival, which will take place from 20 to 28 May. This is a global initiative created by World Sailing and recognised by the International Olympic Committee designed to bring together sailing communities, highlighting the achievements of women already within the sport, as well as encouraging those new to sailing. The inauguration of the programme in Hong Kong in 2021 was a resounding success, with 353 women participating in activities both on and off the water. This included women and girls of various physical abilities and backgrounds from across the city. We did well in the inter-club racing last time and are looking forward to participating again in what will be extremely competitive racing with a wonderful social element that brings together our various communities. We will also be hosting a talk at the Club and supporting the many activities that will take place at HHYC and Port Shelter during that week, all designed to encourage, educate and provide enjoyment for women and girls sailing. Further information on the programme of events and how you can participate can be found on the Club website.

May sees the end of the official sailing season for the year with the BMW Spring Regatta taking place on 13 and 14 May and on the final weekend of the month the inaugural Inter Class Sailing Festival taking place at Middle Island. The first race of the ever-popular St. James’s Place will be on Friday 2 June and will run for 12 Friday evenings in the summer months.

To rowing and paddle sports news. On the rowing side, RHKYC teams head overseas this month to take part in the Toda Masters Regatta in Japan. And closer to home, the Club is hosting the second of our Youth Rowing Series regattas at Middle Island. With the success of last month’s Middle Island Cup behind us, our Dragon boat teams are now gearing up for next month’s Kellett Island Cup; a high energy, dragon boat race right here at the Wanchai Basin. Advance warning… it will be very busy! Outrigger canoe teams are well into their season with rookie paddlers having recently finished their intro courses and now joining the ranks of the regular paddlers.

The Nominating Committee is pleased to put forward their selection for candidates for the position of General Committee. Life and Full members are now invited to nominate candidates for election to the General, Rowing, Sailing and Membership Committees. Full details can be found in the members’ section of the Club’s website. Nominations must be submitted before by 1800hrs on 15 May.

Commodore Lucy Sutro

Building Government Connections

Back in December as part of its efforts to forge closer ties with Government, the Club hosted a lunch with members of the Hong Kong Police. From left to right: Rear Commodore Sailing David Norton, Regional Commander of Marine David Jordan, Commodore Lucy Sutro, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations, YUEN Yuk-kin Albert, Vice Commodore Adrian Pang, Director of Operations, CHAN Joon-sun, Johnson and Rear Commodore Club Mark Parker.

ANNUAL STAFF PARTY – 24 MAY 2023 CLUB CLOSURE HOURS

Kellett Island Middle Island

Reception Will close at 1800hrs

Compass Room Will close at 1530hrs (Last order is 1430hrs)

Bistro Will close at 1530hrs (Last order is 1430hrs)"

Main Deck

/Lawn/Bar

Will close at 1800hrs (Last order is 1700hrs)

Manned by members after 1800hrs with microwave food and limited menu

Sports Bar & Bowling Close all day

Swimming Pool Will close at 1800hrs

Squash Court Will close at 1800hrs

Playroom Will close at 1800hrs

Snooker Room Will close at 1800hrs

Ship Shop Will close at 1800hrs

Gym Remains open

All other offices Will close at 1500hrs

Boatyard & Marine Will close at 1500hrs (except sampan service)

Sampan Service Operational from 0800hrs to 2000hrs

Clubhouse/F&B Will close at 1530hrs (Last order is 1430hrs)

Sampan Service Operational from 0900hrs to 1700hrs

Shelter Cove

Will close at 1530hrs

(Last order is 1430hrs)

Clubhouse/F&B

Manned by members from 1530hrs to 2200hrs with microwave food and limited menu

Sampan Service Operational from 0900hrs to 1700hrs

For the start of the Rolex China Sea Race we were delighted to invite Mr Michael Wong, GBS, JP, Deputy Financial Secretary to officiate at the eye dotting and lion dance ceremony with Commodore Lucy Sutro and Race Chairman Cameron Ferguson and to wish all of the sailors participating in the Rolex China Sea Race fair winds and fantastic competition!

On 12 April we hosted another Government liaison lunch. From left to right Communications Committee Chairman Dr Sunny Chai, Rowing Captain Judy Chan, Commodore Lucy Sutro, Mr. YEUNG Yun Hung, Kevin, GBS, JP, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, Rear Commodore Sailing David Norton and General Manager Mark Bovaird.

General Manager’s Message

I hope that everyone enjoyed their Easter break last month. I for one spent a fair amount of time checking out the Yellowbrick Tracker App to see how our fleet were getting on in the Rolex China Sea Race. What a challenging and tactical race it turned out to be with some very exciting close racing. My congratulations to everyone who participated and in particular to Nick Southward and his crew on Whiskey Jack who were the overall winners. Well done everyone.

Of course, the race wouldn’t be possible without the support of our long-term sponsor Rolex, so a huge thank you to Rolex for their ongoing commitment to this Asian bluewater classic. But there is also a huge thank you required to all the skippers and crew who had to prepare their boats, renew their certifications etc, plus all the volunteers and staff who provide the logistical support and management to stage such a fabulous race again after the long gap due to the pandemic. Well done everyone and thank you. Here’s looking forward to the next edition at Easter 2025.

Let’s now turn our thoughts to all things wine related in the month ahead. On Friday 19 May we have Victoria Wines Portfolio Wine Tasting in the Regatta Room so get off work early and enjoy an afternoon at the Club tasting wine! On this occasion Victoria Wines are offering a full portfolio tasting exclusively for members and you will be able to meet winery representatives from over 20 producers. On 29 May we have the Zeni Wine Appreciation Talk and Tasting where you will be able to learn about and taste wines from the Zeni 1870 winery in Veneto, Italy.

There are two Compass Room wine dinners this month. The first falls on Thursday 11 May and features wines from Les Vins de Vienne. In 1996, three friends, who were all passionate and established winemakers from the right bank of the Rhône, Yves Cuilleron, Pierre Gaillard and François Villard, started a great adventure –the renaissance of the ancient vineyard of Seyssuel. Since then, they haven’t stopped growing grapes and today, the domain consists of 25 hectares. The second wine dinner takes us to the Barossa Valley in Australia and features wines from Auld Family Wines and is on Thursday 18 May. Jock Auld himself will be here on the night to give a bit of the family’s history of wine making in Australia and to talk you through the menu and wine pairings.

Away from wine dinners we have plenty of workshop fun too, such as the Make Your Own Scent Workshop and a Soy Candle Making Workshop, and even one on How to Sleep more Effectively! Our monthly movie nights for the adults and children will also continue so check out the programme on pages 30.

Finally, make a note in your diary for a fun trivia night with questions focused on the Club which is taking place on Thursday 25 May. How much do you really know about RHKYC? Expect some questions about the Club’s history, our sports and even some about our illustrious past members. We want to challenge you to find out who really knows the most about their Club!

So, as you can see there is plenty to keep you occupied in the month ahead! See pages 30 to 33 for all of the details.

I look forward to seeing you at the Club.

General Manager Mark Bovaird 總經理布馬克

會長的話 總經理的話

恭喜所有在剛過去的復活節假參與「2023 勞力士中國海帆船賽」，更祝賀Nick Southward及其「Whiskey Jack號」船隊勝出賽事。我十分榮幸可以參與此賽事，成為Tom Attenborough的「Parnassus號」的其一 位船員，出戰本人首個離岸賽事。現在，我終於明白為何帆船運動員會那麼熱忱於離岸賽了。在稍後的Ahoy! 將有更詳盡的報告。

任何人都可以享受帆船運動，不論是休閒式或是競技性較高的帆船運動，大家均可參與。在香港遊艇會，我們 一直致力令任何人，不論年紀、性別抑或能力，都可以接觸運動。很快大家便有機會可以參與「Steering the Course Women’s Sailing Festival」了。此活動由5月20日至5月28日舉行，這是一個由世界帆船運動總 會舉辦，由國際奧林匹克委員會認可的活動，目的就是把不同的帆船運動團體連繫在一起，一來突顯出有不少 女性已加入這項運動，二來更希望可以吸引更多人參與帆船運動。首屆活動在2021年時於香港舉行，在水上 及陸上的活動錄得共353名女性參與，取得巨大成功。上次在「俱樂部際比賽」本會成績不俗，我們很期望可 以再度參賽。在聚集不同團體的高手下，比賽競爭意味相對提呢！我們更會在會內舉辦一個講座，亦同時支持 多項在白沙灣遊艇會及牛尾海舉辦的活動，所有活動用意均在鼓勵、教育並令女士享受帆船運動的樂趣。 5月是本賽季的尾聲。5月13日及14日將是BMW春季帆船賽舉行的日子，而在該月最後的周末將是首屆的 「Inter-Class Sailing Festival」，賽事在中途島舉行。廣受歡迎的 St.James’s Place日落系列帆船賽將由 6月2日起，一連12個周五舉行，賽事橫跨整個暑假。

到賽艇及划槳運動消息。在賽艇方面，香港遊艇會的隊伍將出境前往日本，參加「Toda Masters Regatta」。

在本地，我們則在中途島舉行第二屆「Youth Rowing Series regattas」。當上月成功舉辦過「中途島盃 龍舟賽」後，本會的龍舟隊伍已經整裝待發，準備下月舉行的「吉列島盃龍舟賽」，一個在灣仔海濱「水上運動 及康樂主題區」舉行的速度賽。事先聲明，當日將會非常忙碌呢！懸浮獨木舟隊伍亦已經進入狀態，一眾新手 的划槳運動員已完成他們的入門課程，將加入恆常班與大家練習。

選舉委員會很高興把他們已甄選出來的理事會候選人名單提交。永久及正式會員可以提明不同候選人參選 成為理事會、賽艇、帆船以及會籍委員會的委員。詳細資料可瀏覽本會網頁，從會員登入位置了解詳情。 所有提名需5月15日下午6時正前遞交。

希望各人在上月都享受了各自的復活節假期。為了密切留意參加了「2023勞力士中國海帆船賽」的船隊戰況， 我花了若干時間在「Yellowbrick」追蹤程式上呢！那可真是個既具挑戰性及策略性的賽事，到比賽末段時更 有一些緊湊的情況出現。我衷心祝賀所有有參與參加者，尤其是Nick Southward及其船隊榮獲總冠軍，大家 做得真好！

當然，如沒有勞力士的長期鼎力支持，賽事又怎能得以順利舉辦呢？因此，衷心感謝勞力士一直以來對這項藍 海競賽的支持；當然亦不少得感謝所有船長及船員，他們在賽前勞心勞力預備船隻，更新證書等，以後一眾義 工和職員在疫情過後，為了令賽事得以成功舉辦，便日以繼夜工作。辛苦大家了，我們期待2025年的復活節假 期再度舉辦下一屆的「勞力士中國海帆船賽」呢！

展望本月及未來，在5月19日(星期五)我們將在Regatta Room舉辦「Victoria Wines Portfolio Wine Tasting」活動，大家可記得早點下班然後到會內品嚐美酒。透過是次活動，「Victoria Wines」專為本會會 員提供一系列的美酒，予以品嚐；你更可以與超過20位生產商會面。在5月29日，我們將舉辦「Zeni Wine Appreciation Talk and Tasting」活動，大家可以學習品嚐來自意大利威內托的Zeni 1870酒莊的美酒。 本月將有兩場在Compass Room 舉行的晚宴。第一場於5月11日(星期四)舉行，當晚將為大家呈獻來自「Les Vins de Vienne」的美酒。在1996年，來自羅納河右出的Yves Cuilleron、Pierre Gaillard及 François Villard 份屬好友。三位對釀酒充滿熱誠，他們志同道合，在賽蘇爾古老葡萄園開始了一場複興。從那時起，他們便不 斷種植葡萄，葡萄園佔地25公頃。至於第二場葡萄酒晚宴日期為5月18日，我們將帶大家前往澳洲的芭蘿莎 谷。當晚會為大家呈獻「Auld Family Wines」美酒。Jock Auld當晚更現身說法，與大家會面詳談其家族釀 酒的歷史，以及介紹各款美食與美酒的配搭。

除了美酒晚宴外，我們還會舉辦多場工作坊呢！例如「精油製作工作坊」、「大豆手工蠟燭工作坊」以及「優質 睡眠工作坊」呢！本會每月為成人及小童舉行的電影夜將會繼續，有關活動資料可以詳閱第30頁。

最後，大家萬勿錯過在5月25日(星期四)舉行的「香港遊艇會冷知識同樂夜」活動。究竟你有多了解香港遊艇 會呢？當晚的問題將圍繞本會歷史、運動以及一些過往的傑出會員。接受我們的挑戰，讓我們找出誰最了解 本會吧！

大家可見，本月有多項活動，定能令大家生活變得充實。有關活動詳細資料，可翻閱第30至33頁。

期待在本會見到大家。

Ruffian Class Champ 2023

WORDS: VIVIAN CHEUNG | IMAGES: MIMI LE & VIVIAN CHEUNG

Over two weekends in March 2023, the Ruffians held their Class Champ races. The event is usually much anticipated, not only because every Ruffian sailor secretly vies for this prestigious title, but also because the race format is different from our usual class races on the Harbour. Out of over 30 races in the Ruffian sailing calendar, the Class Champ has the only passage race from Kellett Island to Port Shelter and are our only races that take place at Port Shelter. With 4 out of 5 of the races scheduled on consecutive days over one weekend, the Class Champ makes for an exciting but demanding weekend.

Preparations for the passage race began several weeks earlier. Our Ruffian Scrutineer, Brooks Tao conducted safety equipment checks on all the boats. Boat owners had to present video proofs that our navigation lights and outboard engines were in good working order, and were reminded to carry sufficient petrol or, for those of us with electric outboard engines, a spare battery. Our Class Secretary Paul Oen wrote ahead to the Shelter Cove Marina to notify them of our impending visit and requested that sufficient space be kept at the pontoon to accommodate 10 to 12 Ruffians for the night.

By 0900hr on the morning of Day 1, there was palpable excitement on the pontoon as the crew started arriving to rig their respective boats. 11 Ruffians took part in this 19nm passage race from Kellett Island to Port Shelter. At a good average speed for a Ruffian, between 4-5 knots, we were expecting to arrive in 4.5 to 6 hours. We were blessed with comfortable weather that day, partially overcast and decent wind conditions, a steady easterly of 10 knots in the harbour. Since the tide was with us in the late morning, we had little trouble passing

through the normally windless area at Au Kung Nam Beacon. Once we reached the open seas outside of the harbour the wind remained steady at around 16 knots so the swells were neither too frightening nor nausea inducing.

Our course pass by Au Kung Nam Beacon, TCS4 buoy, TCS3 buoy, the Northern tip of Tung Lung Chau and the Northern tip of Shelter Island. The finishing mark was the Cardinal Mark at Hebe Haven. As this was a self declaration race, we marked down the times as we pass (though not necessarily round) these points.

Buster was in the lead from very early on. The gap between her and the rest of the fleet got wider and wider as the race progressed. Buster finished in an amazing few minutes short of 4 hours at 1456hr followed 12 minutes later by Bandelero in second place and Victory 9 in third place.

Shelter Cove Clubhouse, a hidden gem of our club with an other worldly feel, is for most of the year a perfect place to chill and enjoy an alfresco meal. That afternoon over 40 hungry Ruffian sailors descended on the clubhouse

and almost entirely took over it for a BBQ feast! Some family members even came by land to join in with the revelry. Eric Chau, Service Manager of Shelter Cove clubhouse, and his team did a fabulous job providing us with swift and efficient service so that the ravenous

Ruffians were quickly satiated. Despite being exhausted from the 4 to 5.5 hour passage race, no one was in a rush to leave the convivial atmosphere around the clubhouse and the BBQ pit.

Bright and early on Sunday morning, we were all back at Shelter Cove for Race 2,3 & 4 of the Class Champ. At first it looked as if the races might not happen as it was a windless morning, but we were hopeful that our previous day’s efforts would not be wasted. Our first warning signal was due at 1112hr, however at 1100hr the Race Committee hoisted the AP flag signally a delay in starting, as only 0.5 knots of wind was detected at the race area. Luckily by 12 noon the wind had improved and we received notice that the races could go ahead. The wind remained steady for the three races. In contrast to the previous day’s

race, which was more like leisure cruising, the three geometric races of around an hour each in duration at Port Shelter were dogfights! The Ruffians were so close to each other in these short races, that they were tussling all the way to the finishing line. Buster remained hard to beat and placed first in 2 out of the 3 races.

The Race Committee led by Bonnie Cheng did a sterling job to make sure we completed our three races within the requested time frame despite the one hour delay at the start. The majority of the fleet set off immediately after the race on their journey back to Kellett Island and all arrived safely around twilight.

The following Saturday 18 th March Day 3 of Class Champ, we completed the series with one long race on the harbour. The winner of that race, Helios, and runner up Bandelero kept Buster in third place.

Congratulations to Team Buster, who is crowned Ruffian Class Champ of the 2022–2023 season. Simon Soo’s Bandolero & Anthony Tong’s Helios, both also consistent top performers in our fleet, came second & third place respectively.

It's good to see Buster back on top form having been largely absent at the start of the season. This is Buster’s third win as Class Champ within the last 5 years. Under new ownership, Will Mairs has retained Buster’s previous formidable team, former owner & helmsman Nick Bryan and regular crew Alex Steinkuhl and Chris Knop. The addition of super guest crew for the weekend, James Ryan (Welcome back!), Schannuleke owner Larry McAdam & Jeremy Koo made them pretty unbeatable, winning 3 out of the 5 races in the series. Congratulations Buster!

Boase Cohen & Collins Inter-School Sailing Festival – Back better than ever!

IMAGES: GUY NOWELL PANDA MAN

With 84 races run for 150 sailors from 15 schools, the 2023 Boase Cohen & Collins Inter-School Sailing Festival will go down in the annuals as one of the best battles the regatta has seen in its 18 years running! Stable and steady conditions of 8 to 22kts prevailed across the weekend allowing for a quick and steady succession of races to be run with all the teams showing great progression in their team racing skills as the event progressed.

This year saw the return of the 2019 winners the French International School in Division A and Hong Kong School Sailing Association in the Division B stepping up to defend their titles, along with the addition of newcomers to the event, two Greater Bay Area schools – Meisha Bilingual School and Vanke Meisha Academy joining the event for the first time.

Raced right off the front of the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club’s Middle Island Water Sports Training Centre in Feva, Pico and Fusion dinghies, the event provides a great viewing spectacle and is accompanied by live broadcast commentary to both the attending spectators and the passers-by on the promenade by Team Racing experts Jamie Boag and Kevin Lewis throughout day from the hardstand.

Raced in the format of 3 x 3 – pitching 2 sailors in each of 3 dinghies per team, against another team of the same, the teams rotate through a grueling race schedule which saw 45 races tucked away on Day 1. The favorable conditions for this year’s event enabled the full schedule of racing to be run into the finals with teams being seeded into Gold and silver Fleets for the day 2 Finals racing, giving the opportunity for all teams to race across both days of the event.

With heavier conditions being experienced on Day 2, gusting through

18kts – the Race Committee opted to set a longer course extending into the gap between Deep Water Bay and Repulse Bay, offering some exciting racing for both the racers and the spectators alike, in the very close quarters off the beach at Middle Island and the adjacent promenade. With all teams transitioned into Stage 2 Finals, the breeze built further to be a solid 15 to 22kts by midafternoon on the final day of racing and with 20 races to go first time attendees Vanke Meisha Academy were holding their own and very pleased to make the Gold Fleet in their debut Team Racing regatta. Commenting on the team’s achievement, Team Leader Summer Song Xiaqun said that the team had been very pleased to be invited. While having only had 2 sessions of training in team racing with the Vanhang Sailing Club in Shenzhen and team Coach and stalwart of the Asian Match Racing Scene Maxi Soh, this was their first ever team racing regatta. Adding, the team were already looking forward to returning next year!

The fantastic displays of true team racing drew accolades from both Race Management and veteran team racers amongst the gathered spectators watching the event live, while the down to the wire final matches kept the team of 10 on water Umpires very busy.

With the racing wrapped up, ISF Academy took the crown in Division A – Feva over German Swiss International School Team 1, with Hong Kong Academy in third place followed by Vanke Meisha Academy – China, in 4th place overall.

Division B – Pico / Fusion saw HKSSA again delighted in taking the win over the Canadian International School, with Meisha Bilingual School – China, in third place and 4th place going to Chinese International School Team 2. With both victorious teams each awarded a HKD 10,000 Sail Training Scholarship as part of their overall win, the event celebrated the announcement by Colin Cohen – Managing Partner at Boase Cohen & Collins – title sponsor, for the continued sponsorship support of this unique school sailing event. Colin Cohen added “After three years we are coming back to normality. We are so happy and so delighted to be here. Today’s event is absolutely magnificent, and we are so happy to support. It’s an absolutely fantastic day. We are so delighted. It is wonderful to have so many schools here and we have two from Mainland China. That to us is very important, youth, youngsters, fresh air and sport, in this case sailing. It’s a great event for the community.”

While celebrating the success of the event, as part of the both the events and the Club’s ongoing commitment to the Clean Regatta program with Sailors for the Sea, the Boase Cohen & Collins Inter-School Sailing Festival was conducted to meet the highest standards of sustainability. This year targeting a Platinum level Clean Regatta and integrating the concept that many hands make light work theory – schools were requested to join in an additional experience and participate in a beach clean-up at the Middle Island Beach while the regatta took place.

Spearheading the initiative, Rowan Logan – the regatta Green Team leader and RHKYC Sustainability member, took time to explain to the sailors the impact of the rubbish polluting our seas and beaches and put together a review of the rubbish collected for further study, making sure the younger generation are being made aware of how our actions are impacting the environment.

As ever a big shout out goes to all the Volunteers that make these fantastic events possible – from the Race Management Dream Team lead by Bonnie Cheng and Elberti Uterwaal-Postma, to Peter Backe and his impressive umpire team, the amazing shore crew led by Jonathan Bluhdorn and Ellen Proctor and the wonderful commentary provided by team racing experts Jamie Boag and Kevin Lewis – we couldn’t do it without you! Also a special shout out to the livestreaming team of Janice Lam and Stanley Tse.

If your school would like to participate in Hong Kong’s biggest school sailing competition, please contact Nikki at the sailing office: nikki.claringbold@rhkyc.org.hk

Sail To Change

Team Members Surging Ahead on Water and on Land

Sail To Change is a community outreach programme founded in 2019 by Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club members and supported by the Sailing Committee and General Committee. The programme’s vision is to create a positive impact on the lives of underprivileged youth through sailing and care for the environment. The values it aims to instill are:

• Perseverance – When faced with challenges;

• Respect – For others and Mother Nature;

• Integrity – In whatever we do;

• Passion – A desire to succeed;

Showing the student’s dedication to sailing, all six members competed in the Sun Hung Kai & Co Hong Kong Race Week Fusion Green Fleet Class. While the students’ mentors and instructors are proud of them already, they’re delighted for those students that finished on the podium. Indeed, four of the top five places

went to Sail To Change students, with Tsz Liung WONG and Chun Hin LAW coming first and second respectively, with net scores that placed them well ahead of the rest of the field.

Sail To Change students are not just making gains on the water. Along with ensuring

they become competent sailors and get to experience racing, the mentors and instructors are working to build their confidence, instil teamwork and develop lifelong soft skills. Their lead RHKYC instructor, Patrick Chung, has been working with the current cohort since

At the recent Sun Hung Kai & Co Hong Kong Race Week, students from the Club’s Sail To Change programme were out in force on the water.

WORDS: SARAH WILSON | IMAGES: GUY NOWELL | VIVIAN NGAN

April 2022. The students’ enthusiasm for sailing has really come across to Patrick. They graduated to solo sailing this year, which is some accomplishment. Indeed, the students have impressed their teachers from the Hong Kong Sea School with the initiative they have developed. Exemplifying this, Patrick reports the students have mastered expediently and independently rigging, launching, landing and de-rigging their craft at each session. As for the students’ views on the programme, their comments speak for themselves:

“I think Sail To Change is such an awesome programme. It allows me to show my passion

and love of sailing, while learning a lot about sailing racing.”

“I would definitely recommend it. It’s such a memorable experience and I am grateful both to the school and the programme for giving me this opportunity.”

“Sail To Change has allowed me to learn about different types of sail boats and their techniques, which makes me want to try more craft!”

“This programme has made me love the feeling of sailing and it makes me want to enjoy more time sailing.”

“Sail To Change can definitely bring you a lot of joy and knowledge of the amazing techniques of sailing a boat.”

There are many ways in which members can support the Sail To Change programme, both on and off the water. In the words of Patrick, their instructor: “Every little bit helps! If you can’t commit the time to be a mentor or own a boat, there are many other ways to support. It could be through donations, or you could help organize an experience. It would be amazing to tap into some member’s connections so that we can get renowned yachtspersons to come and talk or share experiences.”

To donate to the Sail To Change programme, please check here: https://www.rhkyc.org.hk/sailing/sail-to-change/sailtochangesupportfund

To learn more about becoming a mentor and other enquiries, please email: sailtochange@rhkyc.org.hk

Ladies Helm

n celebration of International Women’s Day, RHKYC hosted the annual Ladies Helm on Sunday 5 March on the waters of Victoria Harbour with perfect sailing conditions. With the regular skippers taking a back seat for the day, the ladies onboard the 46 fleet of boats across nine classes including ATI (incorporating IRC Big Boats, J/80 and Sportsboats), Dragons, Etchells, Flying Fifteens, Impalas, Ruffians, Pandoras joined to celebrate and recognise women’s achievements worldwide.

Each class of boat was set two races. The first race of the day started in 12 to 14kts of easterly breeze under a beautiful blue sky. All fleets were sent to sail between Hung Hom and Tai Koo Shing or Shau Kei Wan with similar courses for the second starts. Everyone enjoyed the champagne racing conditions. Race Officer Barry Truhol said of the racing “What a cracking day! Wind was a consistent 11 to 12kts, gusting up to 15, from a pretty constant wind axis. Super weather, good wind racing.”

Congratulations to all the female helms taking part in the racing with particular mention of the winning helms – Kandice Lee/Footloose taking ATI class, Myra Kwok/Movement in the Dragon fleet, Elise Kelly/ Gunga Din for the Etchells, Lucy Sutro/Kerfuffle for the Flying Fifteens,

Lucy Sutro, Commodore of the Club commented on her victory in Flying Fifteens class; “I was delighted! But as you know there is more to winning than just the helm so I’m grateful to Carlyon for lending me his lovely boat and to Howard for being such a great crew. The conditions were close to perfect – it was a lovely sunny day with a nice steady breeze from through the gap with the occasional puff which had us planning downwind.”

Ladies Helm aims to encourage more female participation in sailing and taking charge of the helm. This event also encourages female sailors of all experience levels to take part, with no restrictions on the rest of the crew’s gender or in fact gender ratio – the only requirement being that the skipper must be female.

“We should encourage female participation in our sport because this is a sport for everyone – of any gender and any age. It’s possible that sometimes women may think you need to be tall and strong to sail, but

WORD AND IMAGES: VIVIAN NGAN

Chin Hai Hon/Manbude on IRC Big Boats, Mona Lai/Taurus on the Impalas, Wendy Cheung/Windfall for the Pandoras, Doris Hung/Phoenix on Sportsboats and Johanna Fung/Bandolero for the Ruffians.

that’s just not true on all boats. It’s good to see that there is generally a great turnout from the girls both in our youth sailing programmes and across most of the classes that sail with the Club. “Lucy is also pleased to see increasing female participation in sailing, rowing and paddling sports.

Ladies, it’s never too late to start exploring the world of sailing, welcome to attend sailing courses organised by the Club or simply start cruising with fellow sailors and explore this fantastic sport!

We would like the thank our wonderful sponsors St James’s Place, One Global and Peroni for their continued support of this fantastic race celebrating women at the helm. In line with celebrating our own strong women – Jemma Daly, (St James’s Place, Wealth Manager) was part of an all-female crew that undertook a sailing expedition from Hong Kong to Osaka, Japan in March. Each participant was selected due to their commitment to making an impact in a disadvantaged community here in Hong Kong. The project represents that Hong Kong is back,

recovered and ready to connect to the world again.

With thanks to our volunteers including Race Officer Barry Truhol and his team of Anty So, David Norton, Eric Jenkins, Ivy Norton, Kathy Truhol and Michael Valihora. On the safety team: Niclas Rydin and Philip Lee.

1st ATI – Footloose /Kandice Lee

1st Dragon – Movement /Myra Kwok

1st Etchells – Gunga Din /Elise Kelly

1st Pandora – Windfall /Wendy Cheung

1st Ruffian – Bandolero /Johanna Fung

1st Sportsboat – Phoenix /Doris Hung

1st Flying 15 – Kerfuffle /Lucy Sutro

1st Impala – Taurus /Mona Lai

1st IRC Big Boats – Manbude /Chin Hai Hon

2nd Etchells – 1243 /Ida Cheung

2nd Ruffian – Picaro /Trude

3rd Etchells – Dynamite /Akiko Sakai

3rd Ruffian – Schannuleke /Jennifer So

Tolo Harbour Regatta

WORDS: VALENTINA BUYDENOK | IMAGES: THE HONG KONG, CHINA ROWING ASSOCIATION

The Tolo Harbour Regatta is an annual rowing race organised by the Hong Kong, China Rowing Association (HKCRA). This year it was held on 26 February in the open-water area just off Wu Kai Sha Pebbles Beach. The race was an approximate 525m sprint course in “processional format”, in which every crew rowed a one-time trial, with starting times spaced out at intervals of 1 minute and the time trial results establishing an overall ranking for each category.

buoys marking the turning points set only 25m apart) in addition to a relatively shallow turn at the beginning of the 2023 racecourse.

RHKYC entered a total of 16 teams with very impressive results to show in the end. The men’s quad category was dominated by the Club’s Paul Ruckert, Bryan Collins, Rupert Puels and Alastair Kelly, coxed by Joey Kan, with Andy Chow, David Foster, Isaac Man, Lee Kai Hong, coxed by John Chiu finishing 10 seconds later and claiming bronze.

On that Sunday HKCRA abandoned the longdistance format from previous years in favour of a modified beach sprint competition which involved two ninety degree turns (with the

In the men’s double scull Dan Chan and Michael Johnson came second only 2 seconds behind the winning team from PolyU and CityU.

In the women’s quad race Rachael Lee, Nancy Pu, Vanessa Ip and yours truly were coxed

The winning LBC team in the mixed quad category was mired in controversy as only one rower in their boat happened to be of the fairer sex. Protests were voiced to the race organisers (with results announcement inevitably delayed) but came to nothing in the end. Notwithstanding the kerfuffle our wellbalanced mixed quad consisting of Julie Ho, Irene Or, Stephen Pang and Kai Wong, coxed by Jenny Lim, came third.

The curtain was brought down on the event by the mixed double sculls, featuring none other than Alastair Kelly and your humble servant.

by the amazing Celia Chan to scoop up silver, missing by a second and a half to the champions from PolyU.

The tension ran high, the suspense was palpable. Being the last crew to row on the day all eyes were on us (/phones), and I’d say we didn’t disappoint, at least in comedy value. Struggling with the heavy undercurrent and trying hard to avoid being disqualified for a false start we rowed straight into one of the starting buoys with both oars on the stroke side getting stuck on it. After fighting with said buoy for a good 40 seconds and nearly capsizing in the process we were finally off, catching endless crabs, with one goal in mind – just to finish the race. Which we did, surprisingly arriving not the ultimate losers, but second to last. I’m happy to report though that in this category the Club hedged its bets and entered three more crews. Anna Fisher and Wan Ng gracefully arrived to claim silver. And a very special shout out goes to Alexandra Bidlake and William Vanbergen who showed the best time on the day overall at 02:55.07 and rightly took gold in the mixed double category.

Thanks are also due to Anna Fisher, who was in charge of organising the Club’s participation in the race and as ever did an amazing job.

What is the RHKYC Dragon Boat Introductory Course?

WORDS:

o you enjoy water sports? Do you enjoy a challenge? Do you enjoy making new friends? If you answered yes to all of these questions you should definitely join us! It’s been a year since I joined the RHKYC Dragon Boat Introductory Course. After the four-week course I immediately joined the Adult Development Course. It has been a great year of learning and physical challenge. I have muscle aches most weeks and have paddled through some freezing cold tough sessions. Being part of a hardcore competitive team of paddlers who loves being out in the water brings a lot of joy to my life! I appreciate that this team has pushed me to be better and stronger. We are a growing and developing team. Although we don’t win at every race, we display great sportsmanship and camaraderie.

Not only do you learn paddle techniques, but you also learn how to think about your fitness level by joining land training and learning how to use gym equipment. We also learned how to take care of our boats. Just last weekend, we learned how to repair paddles and we will soon get the opportunity to make repairs on our boats.

Our team is diverse with various nationalities, ethnicities and personalities represented. Other than paddling we also have a lot of fun! We do team socials from beach clean ups to traditional Chinese seafood dinners out in the islands. We may sometimes even dress up!

If you enjoy weekly muscle pains and being part of a supportive community, I strongly encourage you to join us!

Island School – Indoor Rowing Competition

On Monday 21 March, the Club supported the Island School to set up and run an indoor rowing race for 1,080 children at the recently opened secondary school campus in Mid Levels. Teams from each year group, representing each of the six school houses took part. The format for the race was a relay with each participant rowing for 30 seconds and then handing over to a team mate. The RHKYC’s rowing coach team led by Joey Wong and supported by Tracy Cheng helped to move rowing ergs over to the school in advance and then set up the software system that links all the ergs allowing teams to race head-to-head and watch their progress live on a big screen.

Each year group was given a short introduction by Joey on how to safely row on an erg and then they had a few minutes practice time before the race started. At this point, most of the children were unaware of what was about to follow. Final race instructions were given before the start horn sounded. Two things then happened in quick succession; firstly a level of organised chaos rarely seen on a Monday morning at the Island School. This was quickly followed by noise levels reaching something akin to the South Stand on finals day at the Rugby Sevens. Excitement levels reached a crescendo when the children then realised they were watching their team’s boat moving on screen and racing head to head with the other houses. At each change over, one team would fall behind

CONTACTS

Rowing Manager rowingmanager@rhkyc.org.hk

Coastal Rowing coastalrowing@rhkyc.org.hk

Shatin Men’s Racing shatinrowingmen@rhkyc.org. hk

Shatin Women’s Racing shatinrowingladies@rhkyc.org.hk

slightly only to catch up when another team changed. Screams of excitement and encouragement to team mates continued without pause during the 15 minutes that each race lasted. Coaches and teachers couldn’t help but laugh and smile at what was going on around them. For a few, wonderful minutes, the children forgot about their phones and whatever homework was looming ahead of them and had a chance to experience the fun and adrenaline of indoor rowing.

The club has 17 rowing ergs at Kellett Island and a further nine at Middle Island. The event at the Island School was a great showcase into how the club can bring rowing to a broader group within the community. Similar events are now being planned with a view to including more schools and other community groups.

If you’d be interested to volunteer to help at such an event, please feel free to contact the rowing office at rowingmanager@rhkyc.org.hk

WORDS: JUSTIN MURRAY | IMAGES: JOEY WONG & TRACY CHENG

Safety First!

OUTRIGGER

outrigger@rhkyc.org.hk

Like most watersports, Outrigger canoeing can be a fun and exhilarating activity, but it's always important to take safety precautions to avoid accidents or injuries. Here are our top tips to help you stay safe on the water:

“I have seen incidents over the years where paddlers have been hit on the head by amas or iakos and the use of a life jacket made the situation a lot less serious than it otherwise would have been” – Justin

Murray

Mobile Phone: Always carry a (charged!) mobile phone so that you can call for help in an emergency. Waterproof phone covers are available in the Ship Shop.

Check the weather: Before heading out for a training session or leisure paddle, be sure to check the weather forecast to ensure you are prepared for the conditions ahead. In the case of rough or windy weather ensure you have the necessary skill and experience to keep both yourself and your teammates safe. Club training sessions are cancelled when lightning is visible and it is highly recommended that individual paddlers also stay out of the way of storms.

Spare paddle: Always take a spare paddle with you. As unlikely as it seems, outrigger paddles can snap at the most inopportune times!

“In November 2022 whilst competing in the Singapore Ocean Cup OC6 mixed race, I broke my paddle within five minutes of the race start. I couldn’t believe it! Luckily we had a spare paddle tied to the iako and I was able to start paddling again in under 60 seconds. Without the spare, the rest of my crew would have had to paddle me around the remaining 14kms of the course” – Duncan Smith, Men’s Captain

Wear a leg leash: When paddling one- or twoman outrigger canoes, wear a leg leash to avoid losing your craft in the event that you fall off of it. All it takes is an unexpected current to separate you from your boat.

Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water before, during, and after your paddling session to avoid dehydration especially in the hot Hong Kong summer months. Consider adding electrolytes to your water for extra hydration.

Sun Protections: Protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays by applying a waterproof sunscreen as well as wearing a cap and clothing with UPF protection.

Stay visible: Wear bright, high visible clothing, preferably with neon colours such as yellow, orange or pink so that others can see you.

“Most people don’t realise how hard it is to see canoes and paddlers in the ocean from a distance, especially on a wavy day. You can drastically reduce the time it would take a rescue boat to find you if you are wearing brightly coloured clothing” – Melissa Davis

Let someone know where you are going: If going out on your own, be sure to let someone know your planned route and when you expect to be back. Better still, paddle with a partner and look out for each other.

Now you know everything you need to have a safe (and happy!) paddle.

Platinum!

First and So Far Only Platinum Level Clean Regatta in Hong Kong – 2022 China Coast Regatta hosted by RHKYC

In 2022, the China Coast Regatta awarded the Club’s first-ever Platinum Level certification by Sailors for the Sea.

Not only was it the Club first Platinum certification – this was the first time that a Hong Kong-based yacht club earned this recognition, highlighting the Club's commitment to sustainability and responsible sailing practices.

The Clean Regattas programme is the world’s leading sustainability certification for all on the water events. Since 2006, there over 2,600 events across 40 countries have shown their commitment to sustainability by becoming Clean Regattas. The programme outlines 20 best practices rooted in five sustainability themes. To be certified Platinum level, the Regatta needs to adopt at least 19 best practices. Our China Coast Regatta completed all 20 best practice action items to earn the platinum certificate.

It is gratifying that some of the best practices have already been widely adopted in our Club, which reflects our long-term commitment towards sustainability. Since 2016, we’ve banned single-use water bottles, plastic straws and dinnerware to minimise plastic wastage. Multiple water refill stations have been set up in all three Club facilities. We serve food that are either locally sourced or from sustainable sources and process and machinery has also been set up to minimise food waste being discharged to landfill.

Our regatta management team has completed all required actions items. The beautiful perpetual trophies located in in the China Coast Regatta trophy cabinet don’t just remind us of who the winning boats are but they are perpetual so are kept and awarded each year, with other prizes to keep by the winners are made of recyclable materials. Cutting edge technologies were leveraged to achieve a eco-smart, paperless race management, all regatta information such as notice of race, race entries, sailing instructions, etc. were accessible via website. During the race, the race committee always put emphasiss on and carefully monitored green boating practices.

The effort wasn’t limited to the boating iteself, the Sustainability Sub-Committee put together a Green team to partner with a team of members and volunteers from the event’s main sponsor, St. James’s Place, to work together on a beach cleanup within the vicinity of the race cources. During the beach clean-up, a large ghost net was retrieved from the corner of the rock beach at Middle Island and by removing this net, the volunteers helped prevent further harm to the environment and marine wildlife.

The Club’s attainment of the Platinum Level Clean Regattas Certification is a testament to our dedication and hard work. We hope this success will inspire others to join the movement towards a more sustainable future for boating and the environment.

Journey Towards Green Future – from Diesel to Electric

WORDS: SHAWN WANG | SUSTAINABILITY SUB-COMMITTEE

lectric vehicles are an important part of meeting global goals on climate change, prominently in mitigating carbon dioxide emissions. However, there are reports questioning the lifecycle climate impact of EVs due to the reason that they run on electricity which could be largely produced from fossil fuels, and the considerable impact from the manufacturing of battery.

Recent research indicates that lifecycle emissions for electric vehicles are much smaller in countries which get most of their electricity from low carbon emission fuel mix. Regarding the numbers, according to EMSD the energy makeup of Hong Kong is 48% Natural Gas, 24% Coal and 28% Nuclear and renewables (renewables is less than 0.1%).

Our Club has taken various actions, we launched a solar powered EV sampan in 2022, and launched an electric tractor in March this year.

Members who have visited Middle Island may have already experienced the solar powered EV sampan, certainly a delight which makes the short journey quiet and comfortable. Furthermore, the solar powered sampan saves around 30 liters of petrol per one day operation, yearly it will reduce greenhouse emissions which is equivalent to 28.6 tons of CO2. The Club is evaluating the performance and financials of the solar powered EV sampan and if the results are satisfactory, all sampans at the three clubhouses will be gradually replaced.

The Club has been relying on a diesel tractor to tow boat trailers at Kellett Island since 2000 – it has previously been used for the new airport construction and sold to Club when it was no longer needed. For over two decades, the tractor was an essential tool for the Club, until a problem arose in 2022 - the tractor developed an oil leak, which was not only a safety hazard but also a potential environmental threat.

The Club ordered electric tractor after thorough consideration. The electric tractor will not only reduce the Club’s reliance on fossil fuel and overall carbon emission in daily operation, but it will also relieve the club from rising fuel cost and maintenance cost. The tractor is also more efficient and quieter comparing with diesel tractors.

In conclusion, the Club's journey from diesel to electric is a testament to the importance of sustainability. By embracing ecofriendly alternatives, the Club has not only improved its operations but also demonstrated its commitment to a greener future. The move towards EV is just one of the many steps we can take to make our planet a better place to live.

Ship Shop

Sail Racing Women Spray Technical Polo with RHKYC Logo

New Women’s Spray Technical Polo made in recycled polyester fabric with high breathability. UPF rating: 50. Flat knitted at collar and sleeve end. Sail Racing logo tape at slit. With RHKYC Embroidery Logo.

$630

Zhik INS200 Pant

The INS200™ waterproof pants are perfectly suited for high activity cruising and inshore sailing with a large range of features encased in a streamlined design.

$1,660

Sail Racing Reference Long Sleeve Rashguard

Reference Long Sleeve Rashguard made in a quickdry stretch polyester and elastane fabric. Anti-glide tape on inside bottom hem. Reflective prints at shoulders and Sail Racing logo grapic at chest and at back yoke. UPF rating: 50.

$690

Maui Jim PEHU Polarised Classic Sunglasses

Pehu, or to swell in Hawaiian, will amplify your views with premium patented PolarizedPlus2® technology. A functional combination of Nylon and MauiPure® lenses, this style is exceptionally lightweight and expands on a timeless appeal with a matte color palette. Characteristically square, Pehu offers recognizable style in a practical construction, perfect for your everyday adventures.

$1,490

Marine Business Coastal Rectangular Tray

The COASTAL rectangular tray, made of high quality melamine. It facilitates handling and transport due to the two holes designed to hold it, besides being equipped with drop-proof walls, preventing the glasses from slipping and falling.

$420

IGLOO Marine Elite Snapdown 36 Can Cooler

With the Marine Elite Snapdown 36 Cooler, you can rest assured that your food and drinks will be cooler longer and the deep front pocket allows for your dry goods to stay dry.

The multi-functional cooler bag can be used as a tote or a square, by snapping down the sides. Simply pack and go with ease!

$680

Ronstan 20 Liter Cockpit Line Bag

High quality Ronstan Line bags, manufactured with fade and mildew resistent Polyester fabric.

• 2 Mounting options: 3M Hook and Loop fixing or screw-in option (fastener not supplied).

• Fiberglass rods to hold bag shape, mesh panels for drainage and ventilation.

• 20 Liter capacity

• High quality fabric for durability and fade resistance

• 3M Hook and Loop fixing material for durability

• Large mesh for drainage and ventilation

$790

RYA Wing and Windsurfing for Instructors Book

The new RYA Wing and Windsurfing for Instructors is the instructor book for the RYA Wing Scheme and RYA Windsurfing Scheme. It includes information on how to teach onshore including top tips on communication skills and teaching techniques in addition to the on-water practical instruction.

$180

FIXCLIP Lockable Clip

FIXCLIP is a new and innovative lockable clip made for challenging and windy conditions, on a boat or camping.

The unique features offer a clip that holds its grip even under the toughest conditions. Patented dual knee-lock and self-locking friction arms provide unique grip-holding properties. There are no metal springs and therefore no problems with rust. Keeps a firm grip on towels, clothes, tarps, etc. even in strong winds. This offers new possibilities, for example airing/drying clothes and towels during a boat ride or on a balcony, without worrying over blown over clothes. The flexible grip range of .2" – 1.25" enables a broad use of one size fits all. Manufactured for the highest quality and delivery reliability. Made of carefully selected high-tech plastics that provide unique characteristics when it comes to flexibility, UV protection and strength.

$170

REGATTA YACHTS LTD

Builder and repairers of pleasure boats, fibreglass and woodwork specialists, riggers, fitters, metal workers, painters and all kinds of marine work. Slipway available.

Contact: VICKKI LEUNG

Email: regattayachtsltd@gmail.com

Tel: 2719 8875

Fax: 2358 0621

Lot 491 DD 210

Hebe Haven, Sai Kung New Territories

T: 2834 1633 F: 2834 0201 ronsil@netvigator.com

Kellett Golf Society

WORDS: CHRIS LI | IMAGES: DAVID LEE

The KGS March Golf Day was a great success! The pleasant weather certainly helped, and it’s always nice when a friendly competition can bring people together around a shared passion. The Texas Scramble format seems like a great way to ensure that everyone can contribute to their team’s success.

The Team Winners

Congratulations to Team 1 with Rene Theil, Charles Lam, Liam Baker, and Hamish King for their impressive net score of 42 and for winning the match. And Kudos to Team 2 with Will Hornby, Neils Jensen, Piers Illingworth & Benjamin Yip for being the Runner Up, and to Team 6 with Niclas Rydin, Steven See, Klaus Zimmer and John Berry for being the 2nd Runner Up. It’s also great to hear that Simon Wong and Rene Theil were recognized for their Longest Drive and Nearest to Pin, respectively. Overall, it seems like a fun and successful day of golf for everyone involved.

New KGS Members

We like to welcome our newest KGS members: Nick Burns, Keith Lau, Steven See, Will Hornby, Amr Elhenawy, Gabriel Leung, Charles Lam, Kenji Wong and Thomas Cheung. Specially the first-time player – Will Hornby and Charles Lam!

Thank you all for joining and see you again next month!

If you are interested to join the KGS, please email us by golf@rhkyc.org.hk

KSC South – Teams

KSC South – Texas Scramble Runner-Up Team 2

KSC South – Texas Scramble Second Runner-up Team 6

KSC South – Closed to Pin Hole #8

– Rene Theil

KSC South – Longest Drive Hole #17 – Simon Wong

KSC South – Texas Scramble Winning Team 1

Snooker Gets Busy

WORDS: GORDON ROBINSON | IMAGES: GORDON ROBINSON, CLUB STAFF

We have had three very successful social snooker events recently, firstly with Kowloon Cricket Club, who came to KI on 10 March. We found good form and pulled off a 5–1 win. Then, on 27 March the three-cornered yacht clubs match with Hebe Haven and Aberdeen at HK Club resumed after a three-year Covid hiatus. An evening of close and exciting snooker ended with the Club retaining the trophy with 6 wins against 5 for ABC and 4 for HHYC. Alfred Lau put the icing on the cake for us by again winning the high break trophy with a 6-colour clearance of 27. Late in April we entertained a new set of friends from United Services Recreation Club; report next month. We aim to resume our pre-Covid programme of two events per annum with each club, home and away.

Reports in Ahoy! archives show that some years ago we played in the Inter-Club League. Re-joining the current 7-Club group would be good for us, with more opportunities to play, but not possible as participating Clubs now need to have a minimum of two tables. Dream on!

On the equipment front, with support from the Club’s House staff the table was re-covered last month, eliminating the numerous small holes from cue damage. Please use with care! We also provided a new long rest and cue.

Finally, please come to the monthly snooker evening, every first Thursday from 1700hrs, meet fellow players, get some tips, have a beer. Just let the Convenor know that you will be there. Also, please come and join the friendly social matches. Don’t think that you need to be an expert; it’s all about fun. And there’s always a good dinner!

Contact: Snooker Convenor, Gordon Robinson snooker@rhkyc.org.hk

10 March vs KCC: Alfred Lau, Chris Liu (KCC), Vijay Nainani (KCC), C K Chan, John Greene (KCC), Gordon Robinson

Alfred Lau, David Hilling (ABC), Gordon Robinson, Stuart Mason (HHYC), C K Chan (HHYC), Gareth Williams (HHYC), Marcus Tang, Adrian Lynch (ABC), Wayne Robinson (ABC), Steve So (HHYC), Nick Horvath (ABC), Billy Chow

Victoria Wines Portfolio

Wine Tasting

Regatta Room | Friday 19 May

Zeni Wine Appreciation Talk and Tasting

Main Lawn | Monday 29 May

Victoria Wines is coming to the Club and offering a full portfolio tasting session exclusively for our members. From 1600hrs to 1730hrs, members will have the opportunity to meet winery representatives from over 20 producers at this event is exclusive for RHKYC members.

Price Free for KWS members

$150 for all non-KWS members

Time 1600hrs to 1730hrs

Location Regatta Room

Reservations Please book via the Club website

Zeni 1870 winery in Veneto, Italy and Valdivia 1975 wine importer Ms. Elena Zeni will be coming to the Club to present to you her best wines. Join her on the Main Lawn as she uncovers the history and the uniqueness of her wine in this one-hour event. She will be explaining and introducing 7 wines from Zeni to participants.

Price $100 per person

Time 1900hrs to 2000hrs

Location Main Lawn

Reservations Please book via the Club website

Monthly Wine Fairs

Kellett Island, Wednesday 3 May, 1830hrs to 2030hrs

Shelter Cove, Friday 5 May, 1900hrs to 2100hrs

Please book via the Club website.

Make Your Own Scent Workshop

Main Lawn | Sunday 7 May

Finding your signature scent is like meeting your soul mate in fragrance form! Through fragrance blending, you can combine all your favourite notes. You'll be able to create your own scent that allows for a luxe feel and can brighten up your own space using your aroma mist diffuser with the aroma oil blends you'll be making during this workshop.

Time to DIY your own scent! All materials included with up to 30 to 35 different blends to choose from. In this hour workshop, you will get hands on experience to discover your new favourite fragrance.

Limited spots available. Book yourself or your mum a session now!

Price $350 per person

Time 1400hrs to 1500hrs

Location Main Lawn

Reservations Please book via the Club website

Time to Take a Break Mum

Regatta Room | Sunday 7 May

Calling all mums! Partnering with Sense of Touch, we are celebrating all mothers! In advance of Mother’s Day, we are bringing a team of professionals to give mums the best massages. Each sign up will get a 10-minute free hand or shoulder massage, and may participate in an optional 30-minute facial treatment at a special rate of $780.

Every Hydrafacial consists of a deep cleanse, a gentle chemical peel, painless extractions, and intense moisturisers and glow-making antioxidants. Limited spots available.

Soy Candle Making Workshop

Main Lawn | Tuesday 23 May

You are about to fall deeper into this cozy Soy Candle Workshop Activity. This is your chance to blend your own dream scent and create your own handmade soy candles — from earthy to citrus to floral — create something truly unique as opposed to a one-note fragrance. Learn the creative process of soy candle making and create the memorable scents you get to enjoy in your own personal space.

Price $430 per person

Time 1900hrs to 2030hrs

Location Main Lawn

Reservations Please book via the Club website

Speaker’s Corner – How to Sleep Effectively

Sports Bar and Bowling Alley | Tuesday 16 May

Price Free of Charge $780 for 30-minute facial (pre-booking required)

Time 1000hrs to 1400hrs

Location Regatta Room

Reservations Please book via the Club website

An effective and efficient sleep strategy workshop that highlights sleep’s incredible restorative power and how we can build better night rest routines for various circadian rhythm types. It is a wellness workshop but it is also about stress management, mental wellness and performance driven conversation.

Speaker Cavan is an enthusiastic Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach, Sleep Science Coach and Functional Breathing Instructor.

Price Free of Charge

Time 1900hrs to 2000hrs

Location Sports Bar and Bowling Alley

Reservations Please book via the Club website

Les Vins de Vienne Wine Dinner

Compass Room and Steakhouse | Thursday 11 May

In 1996, three friends, passionate and established winemakers from the right bank of the Rhône, Yves Cuilleron, Pierre Gaillard and François Villard, started a great adventure: the renaissance of the ancient vineyard of Seyssuel. Since then, they haven’t stopped growing and today, the domain consists of 25 hectares.

The company's extensive wine portfolio is dedicated in the main to the northern Rhône's four prolific grape varieties: Syrah for the red wines and Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne for the white wines. For the domaine, the team have resurrected a long-neglected vineyard area on the steep hills in the commune of Seyssuel, a little bit further north of the town of Vienne, in the far northern reaches of the Rhône Valley.

Pre-dinner Tasting 1900hrs

Dinner 1930hrs

Price $798 per member and $858 per non-member

Speaker Mr. James Yates

For the négociant business they have pooled their resources and genius to forge a new benchmark for négoçiant and domaine Rhône wines. From the smart aesthetics of the packaging through to the sheer class of the wines themselves, the operation has made a very big impression in a very short period of time.

With plantations of Syrah and Viognier they have created wines which resemble their famous progenitors in Condrieu and Côte Rôtie, yet with subtle, fascinating points of difference. They have now spread their wings to create a whole family of wines including this extraordinarily good Côtes du Rhône.

Reservations

Please book via the Club website. Priority booking available to Kellett Wine Society members. Enquiries Call the F&B Office on 2239 0386 or email events@rhkyc.org.hk

PRE-DINNER TASTING

Les Vins de Vienne Côtes du Rhone Blanc Les Laurelles 2019

MENU AND WINES

Tuna and Salmon Ceviche, Green Asparagus Mousse, Pineapple Salsa

Les Vins de Vienne Condrieu 2019

Char-grilled Iberico Pork Loin, Red Capsicum and Parmentier Potato

Les Vins de Vienne Côtes du Rhone Rouge Les Cranilles 2020

Braised Lamb Shank with Wild Mushrooms, Morel and Black Olives, Blackcurrant Jus

Les Vins de Vienne Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Otéliées 2019

Roast Prime Rib, Candied Baby Carrot and Beetroot, Chestnut Purée

Les Vins de Vienne Saint Joseph L’Arzelle 2018

Hazelnut Cheesecake and Chocolate Macarons

Coffee or Tea

VEGETARIAN MENU

Winter Squash, Crispy Eggplant, Cream Foam, Pineapple Salsa

Char-grilled Bean curd and Zucchini, Red Capsicum and Parmentier Potato

Braised Artichokes with Wild Mushrooms, Morel and Black Olives, Blackcurrant Jus

Roast Asparagus, Candied Baby Carrot and Beetroot, Chestnut Purée

Hazelnut Cheesecake and Chocolate Macarons

Coffee or Tea

Kids Events at the Club

Kids Movie Night – Luca

Rooftop | Friday 26 May

Painting with Vegetables

Annex Rooftop | Sunday 13 May

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, we are inviting kids to make a special card for their beloved mums! Our Club Events Manager, Crystal will teach each kids how to make use of various vegetables to paint a beautiful card for their mothers.

Price $50 per kid

Time 1400hrs to 1500hrs

Location Annex Rooftop

Reservations Please book via the Club website

RHKYC Club Trivia

Sports Bar and Bowling Alley | Thursday 25 May

Time to quiz your knowledge on the Club! How much do you know about the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club? Expect questions about the Club’s history, sports and even about some past members, we want to challenge you to find out who knows the most!

In this 2021 Disney animated film, we follow the story of Luca, a sea monster, befriends Alberto, another one of his kind who takes him on a land adventure. He experiences an exciting summer while keeping his parents in the dark.

Price Free screening with F&B Cinema Menu available

Time 1900hrs for registration, 1930hrs for screening

Location Rooftop

Reservations Please book via the Club website

Monday Movie Night – Footloose

Main Lawn | Monday 8 May

Another great movie for you to relieve your Monday blues. Come to Main Lawn and watch this 1984 classic about a city teenager who moves to a small town where rock music and dancing have been banned, and his rebellious spirit shakes up the populace.

Price $98 for a team of four to six

Maximum team size of six

Optional 90-minute Wings and selected Beer free flow at $138 per person

Time 1900hrs to 2100hrs

Location Sports Bar and Bowling Alley

Reservations Please book via the Club website

Price Free Screening. Optional 2-hour free flow at $180

Time 1830hrs for registration. Screening at 1900hrs

Location Main Lawn

Reservations Please book via the Club website

Auld Family Wine Dinner

Compass Room and Steakhouse |

The modern-day Aulds have ensured the family remains as entrenched in the industry as ever, with another Patrick making a name for himself in New South Wales. After beginning his career as an 18-year-old, Patrick became a fifth-generation Auld winemaker at Tulloch Wines, with his achievements seeing him anointed a ‘Living Legend’ by the Hunter Valley Wine Industry in 2012. His brother John, driven by the same passion for wine as his brother and forebears, has spent 33 years

PRE-DINNER TASTING

Auld Family Wines ‘Wilberforce’ Riesling 2022

MENU AND WINES

Australian Scallops, Prawns and Watermelon Salad, Thai Citrus Dressing

Auld Family Wines Grenache Rosé 2022

Light Smoked Guinea Fowl, Tomato Suquet

Auld Family Wines ‘Wilberforce’ Cabernet Shiraz 2017

Roasted Duck Breast, Strozzapreti with Mushrooms, Shaved Pecorino

Auld Family Wines ‘Strawbridge’ Shiraz 2019 (JH90)

Slow-cooked Venison Fillets, Braised Red Cabbage with Dark Plum, Red Wine Sauce

Auld Family Wines ‘William Patrick’ Shiraz 2016 (JH96)

Mango Passion Fruit Meringue Tart, Candied Chestnuts

Coffee or Tea

in the industry, working at Saltram Wines Estates, the Yalumba Wine Company and now as a director of Jim Barry Wines. John’s sons Jock and Sam Auld are determined to see their great-grandfather’s legend live on, adding their own touch to the family legacy while tipping their hats to generations past through Auld Family Wines

If you could only choose one Australian wine region to truly showcase the history, evolution and revolution of Australian wine then you could do a lot worse than pick the Barossa Valley. There are sixth generation grape growing families in the region, custodians to worlds largest collection of old vines with blocks dating back to the 1840’s. In recent years, traditional Barossa varieties like Shiraz, Grenache and Mataro have been joined by a new wave of Mediterranean varieties, suited to the region’s soils and climate. The region has also been invigorated by a new breed of winemakers who have challenged the status quo while still maintaining an inherent love and respect for the Barossa traditions and culture.

Pre-dinner Tasting 1900hrs

Dinner 1930hrs

Price $738 per member and $838 per non-member Speaker Mr. Jock Auld

Reservations

Please book via the Club website. Priority booking available to Kellett Wine Society members.

Enquiries Call the F&B Office on 2239 0386 or email events@rhkyc.org.hk

VEGETARIAN MENU

White Asparagus and Fennel Salad, Thai Citrus Dressing

Tempura Pumpkin and Zucchini, Tomato Suquet

Roasted Artichokes, Strozzapreti with Mushrooms, Shaved Pecorino

Oven-baked Beet Mushroom Patty, Braised Red Cabbage with Dark Plum, Red Wine Sauce

Mango Passion Fruit Meringue Tart, Candied Chestnuts

Coffee or Tea

The world was slower paced when Patrick Auld migrated to Adelaide in 1842, but that didn’t stop him blazing a trail. After trading as a publican and a wine and spirits merchant, Patrick planted the first vines at the Auldana vineyard in Magill, just out of Adelaide.

CLASS SECRETARIES

Sailing Secretary

Dennis Chien sailing.secretary@rhkyc.org.hk

Big Boat Matt Curthoys cruiser@rhkyc.org.hk

Dinghies Oz Wilde dinghies@rhkyc.org.hk

Dragon Josephine Cheng dragon@rhkyc.org.hk

Etchells Elizabeth Wai etchells@rhkyc.org.hk

Flying Fifteen Tim Roberts flyingfifteen@rhkyc.org.hk

Impala Patrick Kwan impala@rhkyc.org.hk

J/80 Steve McGill J80@rhkyc.org.hk

Pandora Joseph Wong pandora@rhkyc.org.hk

Ruffian Paul Oen ruffian@rhkyc.org.hk

Sportsboats Rob Stanley sportsboat@rhkyc.org.hk

SPORTS CONVENORS

Bowling Convenor Frank Yam bowling@rhkyc.org.hk

Golf Convenor Chris Li golf@rhkyc.org.hk

Snooker Convenor Gordon Robinson snooker@rhkyc.org.hk

Squash Convenor Francis Longuepee squash@rhkyc.org.hk

Diving Convenor Donald Day diving@rhkyc.org.hk

CLUB CONTACTS

General Manager Mark Bovaird 2239 0300

mark.bovaird@rhkyc.org.hk

Executive Secretary Polly Lee 2239 0301

Financial Controller Fred Wong 2239 0315

Membership Manager Tracy Leung 2239 0371

Head of PR & Communications Koko Mueller 2239 0342

PR Manager Janice Lam 2239 0340

Head of Sponsorship and Corporate Partnerships

Nadia Cuvelier 3958 3222

Marine Manager Alan Reid 2239 0308

Boatyard Manager Dean Burrell 2239 0311

Sailing Manager Ailsa Angus 2239 0395

Club Operations Manager Peter Murray 2239 0338

Sailing Coordinator Gloria Yeung 2812 7063

Assistant Manager | Sailing Iris Yang 2239 0314

MI Sailing and Marine Manager Luke van der Kamp 2812 0172

Assistant Manager | Regattas and Events

Nikki Claringbold 2239 0363

Rowing and Paddle Sports Manager

Justin Murray 2239 0322

Boatyard Office Manager Connie Chan 2239 0304

Facilities & Technical Manager Raymond Ng 2239 0303

Human Resources Manager Susanna Chung 2239 0310

Ship Shop Manager David Ho 2239 0336

Assistant Marine Manager Joanne Ho 2239 0309

House Manager Lorence Leung 2239 0352

ROYAL HONG KONG YACHT CLUB

Kellett Island, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, SAR

Kellett Island Tel: 2832 2817 Fax: 2572 5399

Middle Island Tel: 2812 7202

Shelter Cove Tel: 2792 2744

www.rhkyc.org.hk

www.facebook.com/rhkyc

www.facebook.com/rhkycrowingsection

www.facebook.com/rhkycevents

www.facebook/rhkycsharks

www.twitter.com/rhkyc

ORDINARY MEMBERS

Ms Chow Hoi Ling Juliana

Mrs Georgia Kate Corones

Ms He Xuan

Mr Lam Kin Hung Vincent

Ms Lau Hai Suen Alpha

Mr Ng Wai Man

Mr Patrick Sauveur Sciarrone

Mr Tang Kin Pang

Ms Tsang Fung Chu

Ms Tsang Lai Man Carmen

Mr Tsui King Yan

Sir & Lady Zak Allom

Mr & Ms Cheung Shik Ming

Mr & Ms Huang Li Yao

Mr & Ms Martinus Theodorus Leferink

Mr & Ms Jon Pierre Loo

Ms & Mr Zhou Shu

FULL MEMBERS

Mr Chan Lam Sang

Miss Koo Yee Chin Tiffany

Mr Lau Ching Long

JUNIOR MEMBERS

Miss Cheng Ho Lam

Miss Ip Yan Lam

Ms Leung Vivian Wingsee

Miss Tsang Tsang

INDIVIDUAL DEBENTURE MEMBER

Ms Sally Ann Wawn

Mr & Mrs Chau Wa Kin

Mr & Mrs Cheung Man Hong

CORPORATE NOMINEE SUBSCRIBERS

Mr & Ms Chung George Nim Cho

Standard Telecommunications Ltd, President

Ms Wang Li & Mr He Shiqiang

Standard Chartered Bank (HK) Ltd, Managing Director

CADET MEMBERS

Cheung Tsz Yin

Chui Sierra Faith Yat-Sum

Gao Chengyi Luca

He Carrie Leung Fung Justin

Lu Xinqi Kiki

Shum Jasmine Sze Man

Tsui Wai Lok

Wong Yu Wing Gianna

CADET MEMBER SPONSORED BY A MEMBER

Ho Tsun Kai Caspar

Ho Tsz Ching Casie

STUDENT USAGE CARD

Chan Cho Hon – HK University of Science & Technology

Zheng Ho Pik – HK University of Science & Technology

INTRODUCTORY SCHEME CARD

Incoming

Mr Piers Jonathan Alexander

Ms Dhvani Sanatan Bhatt

Mr Boris Alexander Burgess

Mr Chan Ho Yin

Mr Choi James Chi Kit

Mr Maxim Chuchuyko

Mr Patrick Philippe Chung

Mr Gilles Xavier Michel Finger

Ms Valerie Constance Hooper

Ms Hung Yu Ning

Mr Kong Lung Cheung

Mr Kwong Wai Kin Louis

Mr Lin Chin Ying

Mr Mau Jason Ka Hang

Dr Poon Chun Kit

Mr William Francis Sanderson

Mr Daniel Strange

Mr Tang Chi Chung

Mr Oleg Tchestnov

Miss Tsui Nicole Hoi Yan

Mr Wong Chun Kit Banny

Outgoing

Mr Chan Chi Shing Angus

Dr Chan Lok Hin Johnny Leo

Mr Chen Yu Chang

Mr Ho Chun Hung

Mr Huang Li Yao

Mr Kong Carey Kar Ming

Mr Anton Svirin

ABSENT MEMBERS

Mr Horst Joachim Franz Geicke

Mr Mark Christopher Gorman

Mr Christopher James Hancock

Mr David Angus Harris

Mr P Gregory G Jarzabkowski

Mr William Charles Kay

Miss Ma Yin Lam Kristy

Mr Takashi Murase

Miss Sarah Elizabeth Page

Mr Bincker Thomas Riekus Uiterwaal

Mr Erwin Achiel van den Berge

Mr Yeung Chun Cheong

Mr & Mrs Paul Anthony Giles

Mr & Mrs Ong Yong Loke Joseph

Mr & Mrs Shuai Sai Wai Raymond

Mr & Mrs Alexander Wilmerding

RESIGNATION

Mr Kao Wai Ho Francis

Mrs Sarah Bethan Winbur

Ms Morgan Florence Young

Prof & Mrs Andrew William Malone

Ms Sophie Swingewood & Dr Mark Watson

Dr Wu Fehlmann Li & Mr Hans Fehlmann

Joshua Benjamin Barnhurst

Angus John McPherson Billson

Maia Pauline Ming Hsuan Chandler

Choi Yu Sze

James San-yi Coward

Eloi Defline

Membership Movement Staff Retirement

Sebastian Robert George Drew

Teah Hanby Etherington-Freeman

Killian Allan Richley Featherstone

Maximilian John Ang Griffiths

Leah Amira Imran

William Zain Imran

Henry Michael Keyes

Leung Ho Cheung Roderic

Atticus John Macintosh

Ng Le Xing Angus

Maximilian Augustus O'Brien

So Chi Cheung Aaron

Wai Ching Him Angus

Miriam Wilmerding

Wong Kam Hei Aidan

Jack Henry Woolterton

Rosie Elizabeth Woolterton

Mark Bovaird, General Manager presented a farewell gift to Li Tak Ming, Senior Coxswain who left on 23 March 2023 after 12.5 years’ service

New Members Cocktail Party – March

Cardboard Regatta

WORDS: CAITLIN CHEUNG, AGE 11

Hello! This is The Foots! We are the team that tested (and made) the most cardboat boat prototypes and we had so much fun making them!

At first, we built a narrow and high-walled boat which seemed sturdy, but when we tested it, the boat immediately tipped over and you couldn’t balance on it at all!

So, for our next test model, we made two boats, one with a pointy bow and one with a square bow. The boats were wider and lower so it would be steadier. We also added some additional cardboard at the bottom of the boats to strengthen them. After testing them, we realised that the boat with the square bow was more stable, so we chose to build the square bowed boat for the final.

For the race itself, we adopted the square bow design and made the boat bigger to hold tjree people.

We even used spare cardboard to make a second boat for playing purpose! After making all the boats, everyone was excited to decorate the boat with their creativity and imaginations!

Although our boat did not come in first place, we were the team with a boat that lasted, so testing was definitely worth it! Overall the building process was difficult (we made five boats), but it was really fun, and we really loved making it! Good job to everyone who participated!