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THESE ARE EXCITING TIMES to be a sailor in Asia Pacific. The
cruising grounds are epic, with stunning beauty and exotic cultures
to explore. The competitions are world-class, whether it’s open-water
racing or kids sailing dinghies and windsurfers at world championships.
Podiums are being filled globally by the region’s sailors at the highest-
level sailing events, as well as locally in sunset series and weekend races
at the yacht club.
The Rio Olympics take place this summer in Rio (Aug 8-18), and
medals at the sailing events will surely be claimed by competitors from
across the region – particularly Mainland China.
The Clipper Round The World race not only has stops in the region,
there are yachts representing Da Nang in Vietnam and Qingdao in
China. The Volvo Ocean Race is popular in Asia, with China’s DongfengRace Team winning the Australia to Sanya in Hainan leg and placing
third overall in the last edition. Hong Kong recently was named a port
of call in the 2017-18 edition.
As with any activity enjoyed thanks to the generosity of Mother
Nature, sailing does have its perils. We have been reminded of this too
often over the past year, with fatalities and serious injuries to casual
sailors as well as top-level racing crewmembers. But as long as the wind
blows, sailors of all abilities and experience will accept the risk and
continue taking to the waters in boats of all shapes and sizes, with full
sails and wide smiles on their faces.
There was a time when setting sail was the only way to get around
on the water, other than paddling or rowing. Motorised boats from a
few metres to 140m now rule the waves. We’ve also seen a dramatic
evolution from monohulls to foiling cats; and from surfing, to
windsurfing, to kitesurfing. The Olympics has gone from a single event
for 12ft wooden sailing dinghies to a plethora of ways to capture the
wind and race against the world’s best sailors.
The America’s Cup is no longer contested in Clipper ships, but
high-tech foiling catamarans made of carbon fibre and other advanced
materials and technologies. Luxury sailing yachts of 40, 50, 60, 70
metres and well beyond are being launched at a steady rate, owned by
the wealthiest people on the planet. Some racing series are offering large
prizemoney, even millions.
Take a look at any of the region’s marinas and yes, you will see more
motor yachts and power boats of all shapes and sizes. But you only need
to look up, and you’ll see those beautiful masts standing at full attention
ready to work hand-in-hand with high-tech sails and Mother Nature to
propel us on the water for fun, travel and competition. There’s nowhere
better to enjoy sailing than Asia Pacific – from New Zealand and the
South Pacific to Turkey and the Middle East.