Sokos Under The Stars

Discovery Bay Yacht Club rounded off 2025 with its popular Sokos Under The Stars. This is always a special event and the weekend of the 22nd and 23rd of November did not disappoint – the wind was light, the stars shone, and the rain stayed away. Twenty-two boats sailed from all over Hong Kong, making the pilgrimage to the Soko Islands to gather wood, listen to bagpipes, barbecue, play guitar and sing songs.

Michael Haehnel’s Farr 27 trimaran, Whisper, was 1st in the ‘race’ that ended at Shek Kwu Chau and also first of the racers to reach the islands. That means Michael retains the battered but coveted Sokos Cup for another year.

David Gardner and Richard Winter generously brought their bagpipes to pipe the sailors ashore, bringing the sound of the Scottish Highlands once again to the South China Sea.

Richard and Isabel Winter have been instrumental in raising awareness to the importance of keeping the Soko Islands free from development. They join SUTS every year on Lady Soko and lead a tour of South Soko Island (Tai A Chau), bringing to life its history as a camp for Vietnamese refugees and present status as a protected marine park.