Introduction

The Four Peaks Race is usually held in January each year, when the weather is cooler and the winds are more consistent. It’s a gruelling overnight event, which involves sailing firstly from Deep Water Bay to Sai Kung, where the runners from each boat go ashore by canoe or dinghy to climb Ma On Shan before returning to the boat. They then sail to Lantau, to climb Lantau Peak; then to Lamma, to run up Mount Stenhouse. This is followed by an ascent of Violet Hill from the landing area in Repulse Bay; then a sail to the finishing line, laid in Deep Water Bay.

Around 30 to 40 boats normally take part, with about 200 individual participants. Everyone prepares very thoroughly and many of the teams train together for weeks prior to the event. It’s a tough test of equipment, sailing skills and cross country running. Stamina and tactics play a big part and it’s only those who are able to put everything together on the day who are in contention for the silverware.

This is a unique sporting challenge, which is considered to be one of the most testing competitions in the region. It’s a demanding event, which requires the highest levels of fitness and sailing ability from the competitors, and the best of race management, stewarding and safety management from the organizers.

Aberdeen Boat Club is proud to have initiated the event and to have been organising it successfully every year since 1985. We intend to raise its profile even more and to promote it more widely throughout the region. It has a separate prize giving party and, with good coverage in the local media, it offers a unique opportunity for a prestigious organisation to be associated with this top class sporting event.

Four Peaks Race 2010

Four Peaks Race 2009