Yacht race to the Beijing Olympics

Hong Kong to China Olympic sailing venue spectacular planned for 2008

The China Yachting Association (CYA) and the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club (RHKYC) are proud to unveil their plans for a major international yacht race of historical significance.

To commemorate the opening of the Beijing Olympics in 2008, the CYA and RHKYC - with the agreement of the 29th Olympiad Organizing Committee Sailing Sub-committee (Qingdao) - have commenced preparations for an offshore yacht race from Hong Kong to Qingdao (or Tsingtao), the site for the Olympic sailing events. The race will coincide with the opening of the Games in August 2008 and the intention is that competitors will complete the 1140 nautical mile course up the east coast of Mainland China, arriving at least three days before the Games' opening ceremony.

The event will be open to local and international yachts in the cruiser, maxi/super yacht and grand prix fleets, as well as to the world's fleet of Tall Ships. There is a possibility that entrants may be sent off on staggered starts with a view to achieving a mass finish of the fleet in Qingdao.

Some of the boat types will never have been seen in Qingdao before, however, the city of Qingdao - located in Shandong Province at approx. 36° North Latitude and 121° East Longitude - has a historical knowledge of foreign sailing ships, having been one of China's international trading ports for many years. Leased to Germany in 1898 as part of the Kiachow Territory, the then Tsingtao became an administrative centre quickly developing into a modern city....and the home of China's famous Tsingtao Beer!

Preliminary plans are to sail the 'Race to the Olympics' in one leg leaving Taiwan to starboard. However, in view of the possible effects of typhoons in the region, thought is being given to selecting strategic Mainland ports en route as 'safe havens' - if not intermediate race leg destinations - to maintain the safety of the fleet and the integrity of the event. Careful attention will be paid to the prevailing weather conditions for June to August in the three years leading up to the event and the gathered data used to guide the organizers in their decisions.

For more details: http://www.rhkyc.org.hk