John Slosar is a veteran of some 20 Hong Kong Sevens but he is looking forward to this year's event with a more than usual sense of anticipation - it will be his first as Cathay Pacific's chief executive and corporate co-host of the big event.
But despite the airline's 31 years as a major sponsor, Slosar sees the Sevens as much more than a corporate opportunity.
'I think the Sevens transcends corporations and sponsorship', he says. 'It's an iconic event in its own right that has become an integral part of the fabric of Hong Kong. Everybody loves it - it's a Hong Kong event, certainly not just an expat event.'
Slosar remembers sitting on the concrete benches of the old Football Club in the early days of the Sevens and has been hooked ever since. 'On Sunday afternoon, when the Championship showdown matches come around, I don't think you can find more intense sporting competition anywhere in the world,' he says.
'Sure, a World Cup Final can be absorbing - but it runs over 80 minutes. In the Sevens, all that action is compressed into 20 minutes. You just can't beat it.'
American-born, Cambridge-educated Slosar, a Swire man for over 30 years, was a latecomer to the Anglo sports of rugby and cricket.
Born and raised near Cleveland, Ohio, he grew up supporting the Cleveland Browns NFL team, the Cleveland Cavaliers in basketball and, in baseball, the Cleveland Indians.
