Commodore’s Message

Well, hello all you free people! Well freer than me at this moment! I write these lines ensconced in my hotel room, counting the days, nay the hours until my release from quarantine! And what a better way to pass the time than having a front row seat for the now (in) famous St. James’s Place Sunset Series, wine glass firmly in hand and commenting to my heart’s content. Still, I could be on the Main Bar balcony among other armchair sailors…

The St. James’s Place Sunset Series is indeed one of our most ‘social’ events with many people coming down to the Club to watch the action from the balcony and main deck. And with many staying here for the summer, it was important and necessary for the Club to move to a Type C operation allowing us to cope with these increased numbers. After now a few weeks under this new type of operation, I would like to thank all of you for your understanding and support. I am fully aware that it may be difficult at times but we are motivated in providing members and staff with a safe and enjoyable environment.

Others facing a similar temporary incarceration are our proud Hong Kong Olympians. And what games they had. Best medal haul in Hong Kong’s history. All of them must be looking forward to their release among an adulating population. They deserve it, not only for their sporting achievements but for doing so in rather difficult conditions.

For our Club, we are looking to welcome back our very own Stephanie Norton, who produced a stellar performance in Laser Radials, a fleet speckled with international talents. A great learning experience, which will put her in good stead for the next Olympic Games in France, where sailing will take place on the Mediterranean shores of Marseilles! But first her sights are firmly on the 2022 Asian Games.

From the calm and solitude of her hotel room, Stephanie was kind enough to share with us in writing her experience in Enoshima – read it in this month’s Ahoy!

We can only hope that Stephanie’s achievements and that of all other Hong Kong Olympians will spur Government support and public enthusiasm and boost sport’s development in our city. This certainly is an opportunity not to be missed!

And we had more youth Club members competing. A handful of our Sharks youth squad sailors managed to travel overseas to take part in various competitions. Julia Jacobsen and Duncan Gregor headed to Italy where they took 20th place at the Junior European Championship and 17th at the Mixed 420 World Championship. Elsewhere, Emily Polson and Peter Jessop competed in the 2021 Optimist World Championship in Italy in July this year, whilst Nicolai Jacobsen finished third at the Liberty Bitcoin Moth Cup, part of Foiling week on Lake Garda.

And fresh from the press, we’ve just received our formal Gold Level Clean Regattas Certification for the Spring Regatta. My congratulations and thank you to everyone who made this happen.

For rowing and paddling, it has been an incredibly busy summer with most of the events covered in this edition of Ahoy! The notable new events taking place were the Sai Kung Coastal Challenge in July and the Rowing and Paddle Sports Sunset Series that was held over four Thursday evenings in July and August. Additionally, the Rowing and Paddle Sports Department also welcomed new Head Rowing Coach Ognjen Cato to their team. ‘Oggy’ aka ‘Cato’ brings with him a wealth of experience having worked with a Chinese provincial team and also the Croatian National Team. Please join me in wishing him a warm welcome to the Club.

This summer saw the continuation of the RHKYC Charity Foundation’s successful partnership with the Aberdeen Kai-fong Welfare Association Social Service Centre with groups of underprivileged children coming to the Club for swimming lessons. After all, we have to get kids comfortable in the water before we shove them on a boat or skiff!

So, who said summer is the off-season! Judging by the number of boats and events, it was everything but! As we look towards to the start of the new season, we kick off with the Autumn Regatta, sponsored by HSBC Expat. Later we will also be welcoming new sponsors Sun Hung Kai & Co., Asia Yachting, Mercedes Benz and returning Solaris Yachts. Thank you to all for their continued support of our events, it is with their help that we continue to grow.