Nations' Cup

The Nations' Cup was held on Sunday, the 4th of May, marking the 15th anniversary of one of the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club's most colourful events. Sixty-seven boats dressed up and swapped their usual crews for ad hoc combinations of sailors for a day-long pursuit race.

Thirty-eight boats represented Hong Kong, China, with England having the second largest team with seven entries, followed by three entries from Italy. Also sailing for their nation/region were teams from Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Mainland China, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines, Scotland, Sweden, and the United States.

As always on this annual occasion, sailors formed teams with crews from the same nation/region to compete for glory. Even before the official race – which began off Kellett Island – the hardstand and pontoon became a lively party space, with sailors showcasing their outfits.

A group of local Hong Kong sailors created the theme 'Hong Kong Athletes', dressing in costumes that represented five sports – swimming, fencing, cycling, snooker and karate. This was to celebrate Hong Kong's outstanding sporting achievements, together with the opening of the Kai Tak Sports Park.

Another theme was 'cartoons and movies', with the popularity of the Chinese animated film Ne Zha 2 reflected by three Hong Kong teams dressed as characters from the movie. The club commodore and his crew dressed as characters from the Hong Kong film Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In, which features the old Kowloon Walled City.

Sailors also showcased their national dress: a group of Belgian sailors on board a J/80 and two Etchells dressed as characters from the comic series, The Smurfs, while a group of American sailors dressed as superheroes, trying to use their powers to sail for their country.

Boats were divided into six starts based on their ratings, with the two PHS divisions starting first. Summer winds are already affecting Hong Kong and sailors were greeted by a southerly breeze at the start. Race officer, Inge Strompf, initially planned a course departing from the club start line, passing through Lei Yue Mun, rounding a Junk Bay mark, before returning to the harbour and rounding a Shau Kei Wan and Hung Hom mark.

However, as the southerly could not funnel through the harbour, the RO moved the start to Hung Hom for better conditions. Once sailors reached North Point, they took advantage of an easterly breeze of 12 knots, pushing them out of the harbour. As the afternoon sun appeared, it turned out to be an almost perfect day for sailing.

In the end, Nick Southward's Admiralty Harbour Whiskey Jack, representing England, won the ATI division overall, securing England's fourth Nations' Cup victory. Along with bragging rights, this allowed them to display their flag in the club's Main Bar until next year's event. In 2nd came Hong Kong, China, with the Philippines finishing 3rd. Johnson Yuen's Zoe, representing Hong Kong, China, also reclaimed 1st in the PHS division for the second consecutive year.

Adding to the fun during the prize-giving ceremony, race management invited teams to showcase their outfits. The crowd voted for the best-dressed crew award based on applause. The winning team was Belgium's The Smurfs.

                                                                                                                            —photos Guy Nowell / RHKYC