Open Dinghy Regatta

On Saturday, the 3rd of October, an army of officials, marine staff, supporters and media ventured out into Port Shelter to prepare for one of Hong Kong’s largest sailing events – the Open Dinghy Regatta 2026. More than 200 dinghies waited onshore for the signal to launch . . . but it never came. What a disappointment when, at 1330, principal race officer, Barry Truhol, announced: “Racing abandoned for the day.”

Ah, well, Sunday still to come.

And to the delight of everyone, four courses were laid and multiple races sailed. Course 1, near the University of Science & Technology, was for the 55 boats in the Optimist Green Fleet. Inge Strompf was in charge of Course 2 for the 124 ILCA 6s, ILCA 4s and Optimists Main & Intermediate classes.

Sailability filled Course 3: altogether 26 Fusions, RS Fevas, 2.4mRs and Hansa 303s. Bonnie Cheng took charge of the Hobie 16s, 29ers and 420s on Course 4, laid east of Shelter Island – 25 boats.

The wind was light but it held and everyone sailed at least two races; the high-performing 29ers even managed four races!

Ambient temperatures had been around 32oC but there were no reports of dehydration and the sailors and crews of 230 boats stuck it out, showing endurance, determination and character to return safely for the prize-giving at Hebe Haven Yacht Club.

In the Green Class, 1st place went to Kurt Yeshua Tablate while, from Course 2, Ivy So won the ILCA 4 Class and Avelino Shin won ILCA 6. Optimist Main Class winner was Alix Nguyen-Minh with Xuan Xie winning the Intermediate class.

From Course 3, Sailability’s Eric Cheung won the 2.4mH Class while Mark Poon won the Hansa 303s. Liu Chang Le was the 1st Fusion and Charlotte Doguet & Yeung Yiu-to won the Fevas.

From Course 4, 1st place in the 29er Class went to Decimus Chan & Kaden Chan. Tian Long / Chan Hoi-ching won the 420s and Cathy Carroll / Stan Markov won the 470s. 1st place in the Hobie 16s went to Ronald Tam & Queenie Ng.

Full results at https://www.hhyc.org.hk/yacht-race/open-dinghy-regatta/