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End to lengthy absence from Cowes

AFTER a 14-year break, Hong Kong will return to top-class international sailing when the territory takes part in the world-famous Admiral's Cup to be held in Cowes, England, in July.

The Hong Kong Yachting Association have registered their challenge for the biennial race which is billed as the sport's Wimbledon.

Hong Kong took part from 1975 to 1981, finishing third on two occasions, in 1977 and 1979. But a loss of enthusiasm and high costs resulted in the territory pulling out of the World Championship for offshore racing.

But a group of dedicated sailors, led by Carl Kwok, the senior vice-president of the Yacht Association, have mounted a campaign which is gathering steam despite the prohibitive costs.

'It is estimated that nearly $5 million will be spent by the time we finish,' said Bill Wild, one of the competitors and a sailing enthusiast. 'We would be happy if we can get more backers.' This staggering sum could have been even more, if not for sponsorship from Corum, who will be backing one of the three boats which every entrant has to field.

The rules of the Admiral's Cup requires every country to field teams of three boats - a Mumm 36 one-design, an ILC 40 and an IMS handicap yacht in the range of 44 feet-50 feet.

The yachts will have to participate in five races, the shortest being around three hours while the longest, the Fastnet race from Cowes to Fastnet Rock off Ireland and back to Plymouth, will be 605 miles. The winner is decided on an aggregate of points.

The Mumm 36, skippered by Neil Pryde with Mark Dagge as helmsman, has received sponsorship from Corum.

'They have given us the boat and a crew of three. There will be five other sailors from Hong Kong. The ILC 40, which is called Beau Geste is skippered by Carl (Kwok) while the IMS boat belongs to Keith Jacobs, who has chartered it from Australia,' revealed Wild.

Jacob's chartered boat, which is named '97' ('the Australian guy who owned it did a lot of business in Hong Kong'), has won the Sydney to Hobart race on a couple of occasions, according to Wild.

'It is not a new boat. But it is good and will be able to mount a good challenge,' said Wild.

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