Image: Guy Nowell

NATIONS' CUP 2021 -  SUNDAY 25 APRIL
 

Any keelboat with an RHKATI handicap can enter. The unique feature is that everybody on board an individual boat must be of the same nationality - born, passport, fluent, see below. Are you up for this chance to claim the waters of HK for your country?

You don't have to be a member of the RHKYC - or ANY club in HK for that matter. Heck, you don't even have to live here. Fly in Ben Ainslie if you want!

There is NO restriction on the number of boats that can enter for a country - so if for example there are 15 boats representing Hong Kong, so more the better.

A big fun day out, not too serious (see criteria!)... There will be fabulous opportunities for song, costume, and native customs.

The winner will be presented with the Vic Locke Memorial Trophy - other prizes include the winning nation's flag being placed behind the bar until the race the following year, and of course the status of Champion Sailing Nation Of The Year.

WINNING NATIONS

2020		SWEDEN
2019		HONG KONG
2018		SCOTLAND
2017		NEW ZEALAND
2016		NEW ZEALAND
2015		NEW ZEALAND
2014		NEW ZEALAND
2013		PHILIPPINES
2012		UNITED NATIONS
2011		ENGLAND

NATIONALITY FAQ

What qualifies as a ‘Country’?

• The following are Countries for the purpose of this race: England, Wales, Belgium;
• The following are NOT Countries: Great Britain is not a country for the purposes of this race: it is divided into England, Scotland, and Wales, as seen in the Six Nations Rugby tournament.
• The Isle of Wight is not a country, it is a holiday brochure. Cornwall is not a Country, it is a Ceremonial County or a Duchy.
• Hawaii is not a Country, it is a State.
• Tasmania is a State, it does NOT qualify as "God's Own Country", at least for the purposes of this race.

NATIONALITY CRITERIA

100% of crew members must be nationals of the country which is represented by the boat they are racing on.

During his/her lifetime, a sailor may only ever represent one country in the Race - you should sail for the country to which you have the strongest allegiance.

All applications or disputes relating to the determination of the country which a sailor may represent in the Race shall be resolved very quickly by a committee of at least 2 people who are either members of Sail Com or are Flag Officers of the club.

A sailor who could qualify as a national of two or more countries at the same time may represent either one of them, as he/she may elect. But that choice is final.

A sailor qualifies as a national of a country if ANY of the following apply:

• The sailor was born in that country
• The sailor holds a valid passport of that country
• The sailor has the right of abode in that country (for clarity, HK requires a Permanent HKID Card
• The sailor has been normally resident in that country for at least 10 years at some stage in their life (for clarity, the 10 years need not be continuous
• The sailor has represented that country at a major international event, for example, the Olympics, the Rugby World Cup, the United Nations, or the Miss Universe pageant
• The sailor fluently speaks the language of that country
• The sailor can sing the national anthem of that country (in the native tongue)