Setting sails for Hong Kong

This is going to be a busy summer for young sailors at the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club. The club is sending two teams from 'The Sharks', their youth team, to two major sailing competitions.

One team will head to the RS Feva World Championship in Bruinisse, Netherlands, from July 22-29. It is made up of five sailors: Aymeric Gillard, 15, Ferdinand Heldman, 12, and the Manzoni siblings - Scarlett, 12, Florrie, 13, and Campbell, 15.

The teenagers will be accompanied by Nick Hollis, the club's performance coach, who will help them do test runs for a week before the competition.

Hollis expects the sailors to have fun as well as gain experience.

'Many teams that our sailors are going to meet in the race will also be there at other upcoming races,' he said. 'It is a chance for them to make friends besides competing against them.'

Meanwhile, the duo of Sophie Tulloch, 12, and Clara Krantz, 13, who did well in selections for the Hong Kong national team, will join eight other local sailors to compete in the OCBC 21st IODA Asian Optimist Championship 2011 in Singapore, from July 22-30.

Richard Knight, the club's sailing development manager, is delighted the girls will compete for the city.

'Representing Hong Kong has always been our youth sailors' goal,' he said. 'I hope the girls' experience of this championship can help the whole team.'

For updates on the young sailors, visit www.rhkyc.org.hk