The top 5 offshore sailing races to catch in Asia – must do races for yacht enthusiasts
- Incredible races from Hong Kong to the rest of Southeast Asia, and events in Australia too
There are few feelings like sailing the open sea, with nothing around you but the blue disk of the horizon.
In Asia, we are blessed with a host of incredible races and regattas. If you are a yachty in the region, these are the must do long distance events.
5. Hong Kong to Hainan
This biannual race is set to take place next in 2020 although the final date is not yet confirmed. The race is organised by the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club (RHKYC) and is a mad dash into the open sea across to the mainland’s Hawaii. If you want to experience the vast expanse, but do not have time for multiple days, this is the one for you. The record, set in 2016, is just under one day but you do not need a honed catamaran for this one.
4. Rolex China Sea Race
Another excellent event put on by the RHKYC, the China Sea race won Best Asian Regatta in 2018, s well as 2017, 2015 and 2014. The race leaves from Hong Kong towards Subic Bay in the Philippines on April 8, 2020. The race was first dreamed up in 1959 when Sim Baldwin wanted to prove his yawl’s seaworthiness. It turned into a race three years later with just five yachts – three from Hong Kong, one from Manila and one from Japan.