A good week for ...
Henry Tang Ying-yen
One of the two leading candidates for the post of chief executive, Tang cut inton his opponent Leung Chun-ying's lead in popularity among Hongkongers, with the latest poll giving him 29.7 per cent support - up from 18.8 per cent in October. Donald Tsang Yam-kuen's successor will be chosen in March by a committee dominated by allies of the central government in Beijing, so popularity ratings for either candidate are not a requirement for the job. But they do offer the consolation of some of form of popular endorsement, however limited that might be.
The crew of Investec Loyal
The supermaxi was first across the Sydney-to-Hobart yacht race's finishing line with the narrowest margin in 29 years, but the crew faced disqualification after their tactician was overheard on the radio asking a media helicopter about the sails of closest competitor Wild Oats XI. Race organisers thought he was trying to get outside information, but the race jury ruled that no unfair advantage had been gained. Wild Oats XI's crew were also relieved. Had the decision gone against Investec Loyal, Wild Oats XI's skipper said the crew would have refused to accept the trophy.
Tian Tian
The female panda whose arrival at Edinburgh Zoo from China generated huge publicity in Britain gained an unlikely honour from the BBC. The panda, renamed Sweetie, was nominated as one its 12 Women of 2011. The decision caused some outrage, especially as it came in the same month the corporation was criticised for choosing its annual BBC Sports Personality of the Year from an entirely male shortlist.
