Being close to China has its advantages, especially for Hong Kong's elite rowing community who yesterday began a series of exclusive trials at the Shanghai Water Sports Centre - the venue for next April's Asian zone qualifiers for the 2008 Olympics.
Hong Kong rowing head coach Chris Perry couldn't help but feel a tad satisfied after the local squad were handed a special favour by their mainland counterparts and allowed to use the man-made 2,000-metre course for a fortnight of training runs.
'We are quite lucky for there is a restriction on foreign teams training in China before the Olympics. The Chinese want to protect their interests. But as we are considered part of China, and as we have a close relationship, we have been able to use this venue,' Perry said.
'This is a huge advantage for Hong Kong as next year the Asian Olympic qualifiers will be held at this same venue. The next fortnight gives us a good opportunity to test the waters and get used to the conditions,' he said.
A 12-strong squad have begun a series of trial races which will be used to narrow down the team who will represent Hong Kong at the Olympic qualifiers next April.
'We have two chances to book a berth for the Olympics. One is through the World Championships to be held this summer in Munich and the other is in Shanghai next April. The latter event offers us our best hope of grabbing places to Beijing,' Perry said.