The Ocean Race: Hong Kong may be the only Asian stop on 2021-22 edition, says sailing chief Tong Yui-shing
- The next round-the-world race will feature two classes of boats – the familiar Farr-designed VO65s and the new Imaco 60 speedster
- Hong Kong successfully hosted the fleet after leg four of the previous race with local boat Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag taking line honours
Hong Kong may be the only Asian stop on the next Ocean Race after the city hosted a successful stop on the 2017-18 edition of the world’s most challenging round-the-world boat race.
Hong Kong hosted the fleet after leg four of the previous race, with celebrations taking on added significance with the victory of Hong Kong-owned Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag, skippered by David Witt.
Tong Yui-shing, president of the Hong Kong Sailing Federation (HKSF), said his body, along with the government’s Home Affairs Bureau (HAB), are in discussions with Ocean Race organisers for the 2021-22 event.
“Ocean Race is negotiating with HAB and HKSF about [the] 2021-22 Ocean Race,” Tong said. “They are keen to stop [in] Hong Kong as the only one in Asia.”
Hong Kong was the main stop during the Asian swing of the 2017-18 Ocean Race with the fleet making a brief trip to Guangzhou for an inshore race. It started in Alicante, Spain, and finished in The Hague, Netherlands, covering a distance of 45,000 nautical miles.
