Simpson Marine and Beneteau Asia launch the Beneteau Cup Hong Kong 2021 this weekend, which will set a new yachting tradition in Asia.
Simpson Marine and its 35-year-long yacht building partner, the French Beneteau Group, launch Asia’s first Beneteau Cup this weekend in Hong Kong. Hosted by the Aberdeen Boat Club (ABC), the flagship two-day regatta for Beneteau owners features a programme with two races, including the Island Race on day one and Pursuit Race on day two. Richard Allen, Simpson Marine Group’s general manager, says, “There are Beneteau Cups taking place all over the world but we have never had a dedicated Beneteau owners’ event in Hong Kong and that had to change! We would like to invite all Beneteau owners with their crew, friends and family to the Beneteau Cup Hong Kong 2021.”
Twenty-one yachts have signed up for the races. Jennifer Li, the assistant marine and sailing manager of ABC, explains that while international races usually follow the International Rating Certificate, the Beneteau Cup will follow the HKPN. “As there are many different designs of sailing yachts which will compete together, a rating is applied so that the results reflect the skills of the sailors rather than the designs of the yachts,” she says. “For the island race, boats in the same division will start at the same time and race around the sailing route. What determines whether they win the race will be their finish time after the HKPN has been applied. For the pursuit race, boats will start at different times depending on their handicap and race to the finish. The positions they finish on the water will be their actual place, with boats that start later trying to chase and overtake the boats that started before them hence the name ‘Pursuit Race’.”
Alex Johnston, ABC’s marine services manager who has been a race officer for the club for over 120 yacht races in the last five years, will be the race officer for the Cup. He will determine the race route on the day based on weather conditions. Depending on the wind direction, the races are likely to take place in either Fury Rock, Waglan Island and Po Toi Island if it is blowing easterly winds, or Shek O Rock if northeasterly winds.
Races aside, the Cup will also feature prize distribution at the ABC Middle Island Clubhouse. Themed on French Antilles, the venue will be styled as a lush, tropical island. “With two days of fun racing, a treasure hunt and a white sails pursuit race there is plenty for everyone to enjoy. The event is aimed at having a fun time and growing the owners’ community around Hong Kong, so everyone is welcome, regardless of their racing experience,” Allen says.
Find out more at simpsonmarine.com.