YACHT SPIRIT OF HONG KONG ‘AWAKENS’ TO TAOIST TRADITIONS

InvestHK’s Spirit of Hong Kong is soon to embark on the arduous journey to Buenos Aires, the next leg of the BT Global Challenge, the world’s toughest yacht race.

The vessel’s skipper Steve Wilkins and crew are secure in the knowledge that they have adhered to Hong Kong’s longstanding traditions and beliefs, having appeased the gods with a traditional Taoist benediction ceremony conducted quayside yesterday (October 13) in Boston.

This “awakening” ceremony was conducted by the Reverend Timothy Yau, a Hong Kong-raised Taoist priest of the Overseas Missionary Envoy of The Ching Chung Taoist Religious Order of The Taoist Association of America. United States Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs Commissioner Miss Jacqueline Willis and BT Global Challenge founder Sir Chay Blyth performed the dragon eye-dotting ceremony.

Reverend Yau burned paper gold in front of the yacht, made offerings and chanted prayers to the gods. This ritual serves to ward off evil and to sanctify and bless the vessel. In addition, it is supposed to make it strong and fierce and therefore fit to compete in the exciting and challenging race.

The performance of these rituals demonstrates the crew’s dedication to the gods who, in return, will protect all on board from unfriendly spirits in the sea. Each crewmember was also blessed with happiness and prosperity.

Chanting, Rev Yau held a bell and finger sword, stabbing the finger sword into a fu zhou or paper bill embossed with magic words. He then touched the yacht with the sword after which paper gold was burned. The ceremony ended with the sprinkling of “magic” rice on specially selected parts of the yacht.

The BT Global Challenge is described as “the world’s toughest yacht race”. It is designed to be — by virtue of the course Sir Chay has chosen — a 48,000-kilometre (30,000-mile) westerly circumnavigation of the globe the “wrong way”, bucking prevailing winds and currents.

More than 200 men and women were selected to undertake the challenge after a rigorous interview process with Sir Chay to confirm their motivation, physical capabilities and mental acuity. To participate, each has raised £25,000 (about HK$300,000 or US$40,000) sponsorship for the Save The Children Fund.

The race emphasises teambuilding, teamwork and critical decision-making, with points being awarded per leg as well as for total elapsed time. Each yacht is equipped with the most advanced communications equipment afloat.

Spirit of Hong Kong, along with 11 other yachts, set sail from Southampton, England, on 10 September to Boston, the first leg of round-the-world journey. Spirit of Hong Kong finished seventh in 18 days, 18 hours, 29 minutes and 8 seconds, auguring well for the next leg to Buenos Aires.

Taoist beliefs are still very much part of every day life in modern Hong Kong. The traditions stretch back some 5,000 years. The people of Hong Kong are not about to tempt fate by ignoring traditional observances and important rituals.

Taoists generally have an interest in promoting health and vitality. Daily tai chi exercises performed throughout the city, the constant striving to achieve balance and harmony, yin and yang, and the application of feng shui principles to all aspects of life are just a few of the manifestations of “traditional culture” in Hong Kong, City of Life.

In alphabetical order, Business Club supporters of Spirit of Hong Kong are as follows: ECI Telecom, GA Pindar, Glenfiddich, National Car Rental, Nuffield Hospitals, Stralfors, TCA Consulting, and Ward Evans.