Hong Kong China Rowing Association

A Stage for Hong Kong Rowers to Shine

On 21 November 2021, the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club (RHKYC) held the Rowing Around the Island Race (ATIR) along the 45km coastline of Hong Kong Island, with the start taking place in the iconic Victoria Harbour and the route taking crews clockwise around Hong Kong Island passing the wild coastlines of Cape D’Aguilar, the beautiful southern beaches and back to the harbour to finish.

22 teams with 75 top rowers gathered at Victoria Harbour, which is known as a unique course that challenges the best in the world and which puts Hong Kong firmly on the map of international rowing.

This year, the focus of the ATIR falls on the Single Woman, Mixed Double and Women’s Coxed Quadruple Sculls categories. In the Single Woman Category, current Hong Kong Team Rower Claire Susan BURLEY rowed around the Hong Kong Island solo. She participated the 2020 ATIR Mixed Double last year but she was yet a formal Hong Kong Team Rower. This year, she chose to row around the Hong Kong Island by herself because she wants to give herself a challenge and also to raise funds for two charity organization. “Anna FISHER, the former Hong Kong Team sailor in the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games used around 6 hours to finish the race last year, I targeted to complete the racecourse less than 6 hours. At last, she finished the race in 5 hours 3 minutes 10 seconds and won the Gold Medal.

In the Mixed Double category, current Hong Kong Team Rower, Jacky CHIU partnered his Hong Kong Team rower, Winky HUI to participate in the 2021 version of the ATIR. This year’s ATIR is Chiu’s second time but Winky’s fifth time taking part in the race. This pair of experienced coastal rowing sailors completed the race in 3 hours 38 minutes 10 seconds and was the first boat amongst all crossing the finish line.

In the Women’s Coxed Quadruple Sculls, TSE Yan Man, LEUNG King Wan, HUNG Wing Yan Winne, LEUNG Wing Wun and WONG Sheung Yee are no surprise to the Victoria Harbour because they were the Champion of the 2019 World Rowing Coastal Championship representing Team Hong Kong. This time, they team up again and participate in the 2021 Coastal Rowing ATIR aiming to challenge this Sea Marathon. At last, the team completed the race in 3 hours 54 minutes 26 seconds and clinched the Champion in their category.

This year’s ATIR was sponsored by the Mercedes Benz.