The 2019 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Cup Regatta & Macao Cup International Regatta, organized by the Sports Bureau of Macao SAR Government and Across Four Oceans Sailing Event Management, officially started today. 20 teams from Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and various countries from around the world started the regattas in the waters of Macao. At the conclusion of the first day of competition, Team Wan Boo Fish Sailing from Macao and Team WYC Lake Constance lead the standing in the the Greater Bay Area Cup Regatta and the Macao Cup International Regatta respectively.

Before the first day of race, the ten Beneteau First 40.7 unified design group boats taking part in the Macao Cup International Regatta and the ten IRC group boats in the Greater Bay Area Cup Regatta took part in a fleet parade, setting sail at 9am from the Fisherman's Wharf to the Macao Tower under the guidance of the committee boat. Residents and tourists were able to watch the rare sight of large-scale sailboat parade along the coastal areas. After the parade, the yachts went to the waters off south of Hac Sa Beach and started the first course race. With a relatively slow breeze of ten knots this morning, it was the best occasion for all the teams to show their sailing skills.  The IRC group and the unified design group fleets started simultaneously, signalling the start of the first large-scale international regatta in Macao.

In the first race, Team WYC Lake Constance from Germany came first in the unified design group, followed by Team Subic Sailing/Turquoise from the Philippines and Team Dubai from UAE. In the IRC group, the Macao SUGRAM team were the first to cross the finish line. However, under the handicap system, the other Macao team Wan Boo Fish Sailing, took the first place. Team BLU from Hong Kong came second while Team SUGRAM were relegated to third place.

Just when the second round were about to start, the wind speed dropped sharply to around three or four knots, which was not suitable for the IRC fleets to race but the unified design group race could still continue. With the low wind speed and unstable wind direction, the conditions possessed great challenge for all the unified design group teams. Team Marenostrum Racing Club from France won the second round race, Team Sakura from Japan came second and the third place went to Team SUKPAI-Four Wind from Russia.

After the first two rounds in the unified design group, Team WYC Lake Constance and Team Subic Sailing/Turquoise both scored six points in total. However, the German team leads the standing as they won the first round. Team Marenostrum Racing Club are third with seven points and Team SUKPAI-Four Wind sits in fourth place with eight points.

The scores are very close for all the teams and no clear favourites have emerged yet for the overall title. All teams are looking to show the best sailing skills in order to compete for honours in the next few days. The regatta will recommence tomorrow (11 January) with the round-the-island race in the waters south of Hac Sa Beach to Huangmao Island. Further course races will take place in the waters of south of Hac Sa Beach on 12 and 13 January.

The organizers held the opening ceremony and daily awards presentation after the races finished today. The guests in attendance include: Ms. Christine Lam, Acting President of Sports Bureau; Mr. Allen Lau, Vice-President of Sports Bureau; Mr. Ma Man Wai and Mr. David Zhong, directors of Across Four Oceans Sailing Event Management; Mr. Steve Chou, Deputy Director of Marine and Water Bureau; Mr. Robert Li, Vice Chairman of Macau Sailing Association; Mr. Chow Wan Hok Donald, Executive Director of Macau Legend Development Ltd.; Mr. Cheng Hong Ho, Chairman of Grandhood Group Paramount; member of Sports Committee, other guests and media representatives.

For more information about the event, please visit the official website www.macaocup.com.