Hong Kong to Host Powerboat Grand PrixHong Kong will host its very own Grand Prix, the "Hong Kong Powerboat Grand Prix," around the Chinese New Year, organizers of the event announced Thursday.The event, co-organized by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government and two other organizations, will be held at Victoria Harbor on January 28, 2001, the fifth day of the Chinese new year, with rehearsals on January 27. Hong Kong's Commissioner for Tourism Mike Rowse said at a press briefing that the race had the backing of the SAR government and the support of various departments. He stressed the need to encourage and create exciting new world events which would increase visitor arrivals. The Hong Kong race is the Asia leg and inaugural event of an international Powerboats World Championship. The global tour will start in Hong Kong before moving to Melbourne, Australia; west coast of Mexico, Sarasota and New Jersey in the United States; Toronto, Canada; Cleveland and New York in the United States; Malta; Greece; and St. Petersburg in Florida, the United States, for the finale. Twenty top international race teams from the United States, Europe, Australia, the Middle East and Asia will compete for the "Hong Kong Powerboat Brand Prix." |
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