HKFC International BLOG

It’s the last day of the Threes, with the main titles set to be decided by the 11.15 matches ...

MASTERS PHOTOS

MASTERS :  Tanglin Masters beat Tri Umphant

LADIES :  KCC Ladies beat Katana

MEN :  HHKFC Chiefs beat Same Same

MASTERS PHOTOS

TEN from the Finals

Ten from the Semis

In the last couple of years there’s been a handy large display alongside Court 7 which was used to show a combination of the Twitter updates, Live Scores and Streaming.

It’s still there, but it’s been augmented by four giant, tall, touchscreen displays that provide similar functions, just bigger and better!

There are standard computers in the innards of these displays, so each one can show anything that’s produced on the site, social media and so so.

Most of the time screen 1 show the practice court schedule, screen 2 has the full men’s and women’s  draws, screen 3 has the realtime twitter feed and screen 4 has the Live Scores.

They’ve proven a great hit with players and spectators alike, and the ability to quickly whizz up and down the feeds, to press on any photos to expand, or to navigate the site and blog is really, really good.

The only downside is that if the screen gets takes too far off its standard display, reaching up to the tabs and control at the top is a bit of a stretch (and impossible for some we won’t mention).

With the 3′s starting tonight, a couple of the screens will be switched over to provide draws and results, but that’s the beauty of it, they can show pretty much anything. 

QUARTER-FINALS

Well not a whole day, more of a flying visit. You see, when you sit down at the Cafe/Bar close to the Squash Courts, you’re looking out over the Happy Valley Racecourse,  and a pretty sight it is too.

The track has a spectator capacity of 55,000 and has Wednesday and weekend racing.

Turns out that the inside of the racing track is actually a public area with a 1km jogging track, football hockey and rugby pitches, and more, called the “Happy Valley Recreation Ground”.

There’s also a jogging track running alongside the racetrack, but you’re not allowed on the 1.4km racetrack itself!

Pretty much surrounded by skyscrapers, with the Football club at one end and the Happy Valley area at the other, it’s an island of tranquility inside the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong - in a similar way to that of Hong Kong Park, adjacent to HK Squash Centre.

Once you know this, you’ve got to go and have a look around, haven’t you ... 

There are three [underpass] entrances, one close to HKFC, one at the Happy Valley end, and one on the other side by the main Racecourse entrance (where I came out after doing the circuit).

The few photos here hopefully give you a feel for it ... 

A BIT OF HISTORY  In 1992 the Jockey Club wanted to extend the track from 1km to 1.4km to attain international status. But, standing in the way of that expansion was ... Hong Kong Football Club. So the Jockey Club offered to build a brand new club, and that’s where we are today !!

TEN FROM ROUND TWO

Round TWO on court 7