Photo by:

HENG CHIVOAN

The boats sponsored by Hok Lundy and Sok Saem are prepared for racing.

WATER festival boats sponsored by the former National Police Chief Hok Lundy, who was killed in a weekend helicopter crash, and RCAF General Sok Saem, who died alongside Cambodia's top cop, both won their early heats in Tuesday's Water Festival races after organisers decided they would compete, despite the deaths.

Soun Bun Oeurn, committee director of Hok Lundy's boat Dysencheybaromeibopia, and Saemsencheybaromeisvaychhrum, the boat sponsored by Sok Saem, said, "We are very sorry for losing our best supporters, if compared to other boats we got the best support".

"We would like their spirits to help both of these boats achieve victory," Soun Bun Oeurn told the Post.

With a long history of successes, the two boats were expected to do well in this year's  races. With the deaths of their patrons, they claimed they were more determined than ever.

Both craft were built in 1998 and are crewed by 85 rowers.

They represent Hok Lundy's native Svay Rieng province, where his helicopter crashed on Sunday evening.