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Sailors from home and abroad compete at China Cup Intl. Regatta

Writer: Yang Mei | Editor: Liu Minxia | From: Shenzhen Daily | Updated: 2023-03-25

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Sailing enthusiasts from around the world demonstrated a high level of skills at the 14th China Cup International Regatta (CCIR) when the competition kicked off yesterday at Daya Bay in Dapeng New Area.

Sailors of 100 teams from around the world, including the U.S., France, Austria and Russia, competed in five categories, specifically First 40.7, J80, Fareast 23R, IRC and Topper (youths).

Three rounds of fierce competitions were held throughout the day yesterday in four categories: Shanghai Puji Dashan Team won the first day of the Beneteau First 40.7, Hong Kong's Aegeansailing Team ranked first in the Fareast 23R, Xiamen Ocean Vocational College Sailing Team topped the J80, and Zhongshan Team ranked first in the IRC category. The competition is still onging and scheduled to wrap up tomorrow.

Initiated in Shenzhen in 2007, the CCIR is the first international regatta event in Chinese history and the only event of its kind named “China Cup.”

It has now developed into an international sailing event ranking first in Asia and third in the world in terms of popularity and influence. It is also the only sports game event that has been written into the city government’s implementation plan to build Shenzhen into a global marine center.

The past 13 editions of the CCIR have attracted 521 sailing teams with over 10,000 professional players from more than 50 countries and regions to compete.

Apart from the event, Shenzhen will host over 50 water sports events such as sailing, windsurfing, rowing and dragon boating this year, according to a news conference held by the city government Wednesday.

According to a 2019 blue paper on Shenzhen’s sailing sports, the sailing-driven consumption in the city exceeded 1 billion yuan (US$150 million) each year.

Shenzhen had been home to nearly 30 well-known yacht clubs, and the number of people participating in sailing training exceeded 50,000 people every year.