A DRAGON boat racing team made up of breast cancer survivors has come back from a big event in Hong Kong with three cups.

As reported in the Daily Echo, Bournemouth’s Pink Champagne Breast Cancer Dragon Boat Team jetted off to the Far East to compete with thousands of other athletes at the 40th annual International Dragon Boat Races in Victoria Harbour - the home of modern Dragon Boat Racing.

The team, which was formed around five years ago with the help of the Royal Bournemouth Hospital and Littledown Centre, now has more than 35 members.

Of those, 25 travelled to Hong Kong to take part in the first ever Breast Cancer Survivor Championship race, as well as the International Women’s Race.

The International Breast Cancer Survivor Championship race, which saw boats of 10 participants compete, was held to promote the sport as a means to enhance physical and social wellbeing among Breast Cancer Survivors.

Pink Champagne team coach, Wendy Grose, said: “It was the first time ever that a Breast Cancer Championship race was going to take place; there were Breast Cancer teams from Australia, Dubai, Singapore and Pink Champagne UK taking part.

“Pink Champagne entered two 10-man boats - one boat came third and the other fifth in a very close race under very different conditions; a very hot and humid day along with very choppy water made for interesting racing.

“We also entered the International Women’s race, where the Singapore ladies lost control and nearly capsized us and the Australian ladies, but all ended well with lots of smiles and hugs.

“We came home with three cups, which was really brilliant.

“It was a privilege to be invited to such a major event and to race against our breast cancer friends from across the world - in our eyes we are all truly winners.”

The Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races have attracted more than 5,000 paddlers, representing about 160 dragon boat clubs from 10 countries and territories competing across 28 championships.

The International Dragon Boat Races began in 1976, spawned from a race between Hong Kong fisherman and a Japanese team.

Now the international races are celebrated on a grand scale as part of the annual Dragon Boat Carnival.

Find out more about Pink Champagne at pinkchampagne.org.uk