on 1 Feb 2023
Solaris Yachts' Enrico Zanella will take part in the 2023 with crew from Sailability Hong Kong joining
Solaris Yachts Asia has just announced that it will be the title sponsor of the famed Four Peaks Race 2023, organised by the Aberdeen Boat Club in Hong Kong. The race starts on February 4, 2023.
The race is one a handful of such events around the world that combine sailing, kayaking (for runners to reach shore) and mountain trail running. Sailors must reach specific landing areas and dispatch runners via kayak, who then reach shore and scale mountains. They return to their vessel and continue the race. Climbing the peaks is the added challenge, but just getting to and from shore can also pose serious difficulties if winds pick up.
Competitors in the 2020 Four Peaks Race, Hong Kong
The Hong Kong Four Peaks Race was first held in 1985 and it has a storied history as one of the physically toughest races in Hong Kong. The race followed the example of the Three Peaks Race in the UK. There are now similar races in Scotland and Australia.
Yachts typically take a full 24 hours to complete the Hong Kong course. In 2020, the start was in Tai Tam, with runners dispatched to tackle Lantau Peak, Mt. Stenhouse (Lamma Island), Violet Hill and Ma On Shan. The finish was just off Round Island, in the Lamma Channel.
The 2020 event saw 17 yachts at the start, with three ultimately retiring. The winner of IRC division was Red Kite II. The start time was 10:30am on Saturday, January 11, with the last boat crossing the line at nearly 5pm the next day.
“It is an honour and a great opportunity to be able to collaborate with the Aberdeen Boat Club in this important event which incorporates three great challenges: Sailing, Running and Kayaking, that it requires a fair deal of sailing strategy and adaptability to changing weather conditions,” said Solaris Yachts Asia Director Enrico Zanella.
Enrico Zanella (R) of Solaris Yachts Asia and Kay Rawbone of Sailability Hong Kong
Zanella will compete in this year’s race and his team will include Sailability’s Mo Han Para sailors and runners. “I wish all those competing great fun and in absolute safety as our number one priority,” Zanella said.
Read: Sailability Hong Kong Welcomes New Flagship Cruiser
Sailability is a Hong Kong charitable organisation that helps disabled sailors to compete at the highest levels, with past competitive sailors winning medals at international events. The organisation is based at Hebe Haven Yacht Club. Zanella’s crew will include four para sailors and one runner who is an amputee.
Solaris Yachts Asia is the distributor of Solaris Yachts in Asia and based in Hong Kong. There are six Solaris Yachts sailing in Hong Kong now, and the company reports that two more are arriving this year.
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