Hong Kong, 6 March 2017: A sun-soaked and action-packed Boase Cohen & Collins Inter-School Sailing Festival came to a close yesterday with King George V School and the Hong Kong Schools Sailing Association being crowned champions.

The two-day regatta at the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club’s Middle Island facility featured 22 teams from 16 schools battling for honours through a total of 117 races in two categories – Division A for RS Feva dinghies and Division B for Laser Pico dinghies

King George V School emerged winners of Division A, pushing last year’s victors, French International School, into second place. The Hong Kong Schools Sailing Association captured Division B with regatta debutants Creative Secondary School a creditable second.

Boase Cohen & Collins Senior Partner Colin Cohen, who presented the trophies and medals, plus sailing scholarship grants to the winning schools, commented: “We’ve enjoyed a fantastic weekend of competitive sailing and it’s been wonderful to see so many young people – most of them new to the sport – displaying such enthusiasm and effort.

“The Yacht Club have done a wonderful job organising this event and, on behalf of all of us at Boase Cohen and Collins, I would like to thank everyone, especially the large number of volunteers, who helped make the festival such a success.”

It was Boase Cohen & Collins’ second year as title sponsor and Mr Cohen pledged the firm’s long-term support for the event. “As an independent law firm our roots are firmly in Hong Kong and we are delighted to be putting something back into the community, encouraging youth participation and promoting a healthy, outdoor lifestyle.

“After dipping our toe in the water last year, we subsequently signed a four-year agreement with the Yacht Club to support this regatta and we are working closely with them to ensure it becomes even bigger and better.

“As well, it offers an excellent platform for us to interact with business associates. On Saturday, we hosted almost 50 clients and friends to a superb buffet in the clubhouse followed by a champagne cruise back to Central on a luxury yacht. It was a marvellous day and we have had excellent feedback from many of our guests.”

The regatta is Hong Kong’s only team racing competition for schools and is firmly established as one of the most prestigious youth sailing events held in the territory.

RHKYC Commodore Robert Stoneley welcomed Mr Cohen’s comments, saying: “Boase Cohen & Collins’ commitment to this event is something that’s going to benefit a whole generation of sailors, so is a real investment in the future of the sport and is really appreciated, not just by us at the club but also the wider sailing community.”

BC&C INTER-SCHOOL SAILING FESTIVAL, FINAL RESULTS

Feva Division: 1-King George V School, 2-French International School, 3-Kellett School, 4-West Island School.

Pico Division: 1-Hong Kong Schools Sailing Association, 2-Creative Secondary School, 3-Jockey Club Ti-I College, 4-French International School.