Cover Mark McFarlane and Charlie Dewhurst at SailGP dinner (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong)
Mark McFarlane and Charlie Dewhurst at SailGP dinner (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong)
1 / 1
In a sky-high restaurant with Victoria Harbour as the backdrop, some of the city’s most influential residents celebrated the official launch of Rolex SailGP Championship’s 2027 Season in Hong Kong
Tatler Hong Kong and SailGP hosted an exclusive dinner on May 20 at Cristal Room by Anne-Sophie Pic to mark the official launch of the Rolex SailGP Championship 2027 Season, unfolding next 23 January to 24 January in Hong Kong. Thirty VIPs and partners gathered 44 floors above Central, with Victoria Harbour as the backdrop, for an evening that introduced Hong Kong’s business and creative community to one of the world’s most exciting sport and entertainment events.
Proceedings opened with remarks from Mark McFarlane, managing director,Tatler Sports & Entertainment, followed by Charlie Dewhurst, chief commercial of icer for SailGP. The night’s centrepiece was a fireside chat with driver for the Germany SailGP Team presented by Deutsche Bank, Olympic bronze medallist Erik Kosegarten- Heil. Moderated by Sean Lee-Davies, the conversation touched on the championship’s growth around the world, and what to expect from the inaugural Hong Kong Sail Grand PrixGuests included Alex Jiaravanont, vice president of CP Group; Tommie Lo, chief executive officer of Preface; Leigh Tung-Chou, director of the Tung Foundation; and Olympic swimmer Stephanie Au.
Above Simon Wilson and Marc Mantovani (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong)
Above Sean Lee-Davies and Gerald Li (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong)
Simon Wilson and Marc Mantovani (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong)
1 / 2
SailGP is a global racing championship which sees 13 national teams go head-to-head in technically identical 50-foot foiling catamarans, hitting speeds that surpass 100 km/h. The stakes are high: US$12.8 million in prize money, not to mention national pride and personal glory. What sets the league apart is its commitment to racing in the heart of major cities, turning urban waterfronts into live sporting arenas.
Angel Li and Yolanda Choy Tang (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong)
1 / 11
In 2027, that vision comes to Hong Kong, with the race set to take place at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, set against the instantly recognisable cityscape of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. A championship that straddles sport, entertainment, technology and culture, SailGP’s arrival signals the start of a broader play for Asia.
