2009 Macau International Dragon Boat Races

May 28, 2009

Galaxy Entertainment Group‟s (“Galaxy”) Dragon Boat Teams displayed an outstanding performance at the “2009 Macau International Dragon Boat Races”. The team achieved tremendous results by winning a total of 8 awards including 7 trophies and 1 flag.

Competing against a number of strong national teams, “Galaxy Stars” remained unwithered by its competitors and set a new record at the International Invitational Standard Dragon Boat Races – Open Category – 500m – Grand Final. Completing the race in 1 minute and 55.822 seconds, the team finished in fourth place. The women‟s team, “Galaxy Pearl” finished in first placed at the International Invitational Standard Dragon Boat Races – Women Category – 500m – “B” Final.

Showing their support for the dragon boat teams, many of Galaxy‟s senior management executives attended the races throughout the competition period. In addition, Galaxy‟s Cheering Squad, which includes members of StarWorld‟s in-house performers and volunteers of Galaxy‟s Staff Social Club, also attended the races throughout to dance for the victory of the dragon boat racers. Mr. Michael Mecca, President and Chief Operating Officer of Galaxy Entertainment Group said, “Galaxy‟s Dragon Boat Teams have exceptional strengths. Their ability to work together as a team is what helped them achieve such outstanding results. In addition, we can also see Galaxy‟s team spirit among those employees who came to support the teams. Our employees came to show their encouragement despite the unstable weather conditions. Just like a family, our employees expressed their warmth by being there to motivate the dragon boat team members.”

“Galaxy Stars” achieved excellence at the international competitions despite facing many strong international teams. Mr. Ciaran Carruthers, team leader of the men‟s teams and Chief Operating Officer of StarWorld Hotel and Casino, said, “„Galaxy Stars‟ was able to achieve such outstanding results amidst such keen competition due to the additional physical strengths and skills training that team members endured after their initial races on May 23rd and 24th. Working together in unison, the team fully demonstrates Galaxy‟s team spirit and achieves noticeable results. The team will now take a short break as they‟ve completed all competitions this year. Yet, the team shall start preparing for next year‟s competitions very soon.”

Established just last year, the women‟s teams competed in their first invitational race amongst international dragon boat teams and finished first in the 2009 Macau International Invitational Standard Dragon Boat Races – Women Category – 500m – “B” Final. Mr. Steven Wolstenholme, team leader of the women‟s teams and Chief Operating Officer of Galaxy Macau, said, “„Galaxy Pearl‟, obtained first place at their first invitational races. The team is very delighted and looks forward to achieving even better results next year. The team has also decided to make use of their experiences this year to prepare for upcoming training.”

As a closing remark to the team‟s astonishing overall achievement, Team Captain, Tyson Hoi, Paddle One of the dragon boat team and a pit manager of StarWorld Casino, said, “Our team felt very strong following the good results we had in last week‟s competition. We knew that we were facing the international teams today, but we still managed to excel.” Vicky Chan, member of the women‟s dragon boat team shares the same view and believes that her team members were able to live out the team spirit because they shared the same vision. She hopes that the team can maintain this unity next year as they aim for higher achievements.

Recap of Results on May 23rd and 24th:

Galaxy Men‟s Dragon Boat Teams

  • “Galaxy Glamour” broke its own record this year and achieved first runner-up in the Macau Small Dragon Boat Race Open – Open Category – 250m event
  • “Galaxy Universe” came in fourth place in the Macau Small Dragon Boat Race Open – Open Category – 250m event.
  • “Galaxy Star” was awarded first runner-up in the Macau Standard Dragon Boat Race Open – Open Category - 2,000m event and second runner-up in the Macau Standard Dragon Boat Race Open – Open Category – 500m event.

Galaxy Women‟s Dragon Boat Teams

  • “Galaxy Phoenix” awarded second runner-up in the Macau Small Dragon Boat Race Open – Women – 250m event
  • “Galaxy Pearl” awarded second runner-up in the Macau Standard Dragon Boat Race Open – Women – 500m event