Rolex China Sea Race 2023 Preview – Asia’s classic offshore race

by Vivian Ngan 18 Mar 23:07 UTC
5 April 2023

The Rolex China Sea Race will start on 5 April 2023 in Hong Kong’s iconic Victoria Harbour and take competitors 565-nautical miles (1,046 kilometres) across the South China Sea to Subic Bay in the Philippines.

Rolex has enjoyed a longstanding relationship with yachting dating back to the late 1950s. Close support of pre-eminent yacht clubs and first-class events has been the cornerstone of this partnership.

The Rolex China Sea Race and its organisers the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club (RHKYC); one of the oldest and most prestigious clubs in Hong Kong, have been supported by Rolex since 2008, when Rolex became the title sponsor of this biennial race. The 565nm Category 1 Offshore Race is run under the auspices of Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC).

First held in 1962, this year marks the 61st anniversary of this offshore classic, the oldest blue water race in Asia; and after five years of absence, the Rolex China Sea Race celebrates its 30th edition. Many of the world’s best-known sailors and yachts have tried to master the race and the 565-nm offshore course is considered a real test of sailing skill.

While the majority of the fleet are Asian-based, sailors from around the world have been drawn to participate by the race’s elevated standing as well as the stringent…