At present, a total of 120 teams are registered, according to the organizer, the Stanley Residents Association, who has confirmed that the event would proceed as scheduled for the 36th consecutive year.

Over the past two years, the Stanley Dragon Boat Championships has attracted more than 140 participating teams, making it one of the premier local dragon boat regattas and one of the world's largest events of its kind.

"In light of the lessening SARS infection rates, we are confident that the event is safe to be held and welcome all of our participating teams and spectators," said Alson Wong, chairman of the Stanley Residents Association.

Dragon Boat Festival has been a long traditional holiday in memory of Qu Yuan, a great poet died in 278 BC in central China. He committed suicide by jumping into a river in a protest to then corrupted government officials. It was said that many dragon boats were used to rescue Qu Yuan after local people heard the news.

After format changes to bring the race in line with international standards and continuing growth in participation over the past years, the Stanley Dragon Boat Championships has now been recognized by the International Dragon Boat Federation and is prominently featured on the federation's international events calendar.

Last year's Stanley Cup Championships runners-up British Dragons have geared up themselves for the forthcoming event while the American Women's Association, winner of last year's ladies competition will defend the title against the challenge of second-placed Bondi Diggettes.

The origins of the dragon boating in Stanley go back as far as the 1800s. Originally a small fishing village, many of the local Chinese in Stanley relied on the sea for their livelihood, so it was only natural that dragon boat racing became a popular way to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival.

In the late 1960's the local races aroused the interest of several expatriates living in the area and these expatriates joined in the racing against the local Chinese in the early 1970's.

The Stanley Dragon Boat Championships has earned local and international reputation as it was featured in local magazines and widely covered by CNN, BBC, and news and lifestyle media from Japan and Spain.

(Xinhua News Agency May 5, 2003)