Hongkong crews geared up for Dragon world challenge
HONGKONG is mounting its strongest ever challenge to take top honours in the World Dragon Class Championship which begins next Saturday at the German Baltic Sea port of Travemunde.
Spearheading the territory's four-boat challenge are husband and wife team Lowell and Phylis Chang, who design and build Dragon class yachts.
The Changs have profited by a clash of dates which precludes the Crown Prince of Denmark, Prince Henrik, taking part in the series.
They have chartered his new Pettycrew-designed craft ''Danish Blue'' which features the latest new technology.
Also involved in the Hongkong challenge are two former local class champions, Nick Burns and Karl Grebstad, while the fourth team will feature Gordon Gregor who has been helming recently aboard Dr Ian Nicholson's cruiser-racer, Intrigue, and three-time Admiral's Cup-winning crew Chris Opielok.
Dragon class boats feature a crew of three and each of the Hongkong teams will include a European-based sailor.
Again the Changs have been blessed with luck as their team will be completed by a long-time crew of Prince Henrik, Jacob Johannsen.
A record fleet of around 80 boats is expected to take part in the seven-race regatta of which the best six results count.
Team member Gregor said the Hongkong crews would be gambling on light winds during the series.
''We have all gone for light-weight Neil Pryde sails optimised for lighter conditions,'' Gregor said.
''All our crews are light and we have no chance of competing against the experienced and heavier Danes and Germans if the winds blow up,'' he added.
Hongkong's best previous finish in the championship was at Torquay, England, in 1989 when Gray Gibson and Tim Trodd finished 25th.
''We are confident of being able to better that this time,'' said Gregor.
Most of the Hongkong team leave over the weekend in preparation for the first official practice sail on Tuesday.
Gregor said favourite for the title was Dane Paul Hoi-Jensen, who was in Hongkong earlier this year as crew for Prince Henrik in a series sponsored by the Crown Prince.
Hoi-Jensen is the defending Dragon world champion and two-time Olympic gold medallist in the Soling Class.
He also won the Dragon class at the recent Keil Week Regatta in Germany.
Gregor said the Hongkong team would be going to Germany with no team tactics.
''There is no team trophy so it's going to be every man for himself,'' he said.
The series ends on August 7.
