Four Peaks Prize-giving

The Four Peaks Race is never complete without a glittering prize-giving held on the club's forecourt with bustling Aberdeen Harbour as its backdrop. Fit, healthy young runners mix with seasoned sailors to recall moments during the race and receive awards from a table laden with silverware. Some say the Four Peaks Race has the most prizes of any yachting event in Hong Kong. Well, if you consider the amount of effort put in, you might be forgiven for saying there were too few!

This year, the Four Peaks Race 2025 Prize-giving was held on the 7th of February with some 60 sailors, runners, friends and families attending the event to enjoy the food, photos and, of course, presentation of trophies, cups, a shield, bucket, vat, jug, flask and even a horn!

The show started with marine services manager, Alex Johnston, welcoming everyone, then handing the microphone to club commodore, Chris Pooley, to make his official opening speech. The race was in its 41st year, said the commodore, but, because of Covid restrictions, this year was the 39th running of the event. He added some amusing anecdotes before handing over to principal race officer, Gideon Mowser, who gave an account of his experiences 'at the helm' for the second year.

The two principal sponsors – the Gateway Group, represented by Johnny Li, and Zulupack, represented by Eric Tavernier – were then introduced to the spirited crowd. Behind the sponsors, as they were making their speeches, a photo presentation of the race and experiences of the runners played continuously, reminding the participants of their trials and tribulations!

Next on the night's agenda were the awards for the sailors and runners. The Four Peaks Race Shield went to IRC winner, Neo One. The RHKYC San Fernando Trophy was presented to top PHS A performer, Skywalker, while the Edwin Palfrey & Associates Trophy for 1st in Division B went to Sailability's MoHan. On the peaks, Neo One's runners put in outstanding performances on Lantau, Stenhouse and Violet Hill while Hebe Leg-Ends did best up and down Ma On Shan.

The Four Peaks Race is well known for its 'humour' prizes. Take the Geriatric Jug, for example, won this year by the seniors on Skywalker or the Fiddler's Folly Flask for last boat to finish in PHS A – Athena. The mysterious Seabird Horn was won by Rhy & Rue while a new Splash Down Prize was awarded to a media photographer who's drone 'splashed' into the water. Not surprisingly, the recipient couldn't see the funny side of this 'humour' prize.

After a farewell from Alex Johnston, the sailors and runners, friends and families got back to sharing their stories and tales of derring-do, while admiring the many prizes spread around the club's tables.