Xianglu Bay sail/windsurf tournaments under way

Seasoned domestic sailors (14 crews) and windsurfers (22 teams) began competing in the 2017 China National Windsurfing & National Sailing Championships on Nov 12.

More than 400 participants attended the opening ceremony at the International Maritime Cultural Center & Regatta Service Center off the coast of Xianglu Bay in Xiangzhou District of Zhuhai. The event base saw many officials and association leaders take part.

2017 China National Windsurfing & National Sailing championships begin

China's largest and highest-level sailing regatta is a flagship event proudly hosted in Zhuhai through Nov 19. Competitions are expected to be as fierce as Olympic matches. On tap are the Men's and Women's 470 (double-handed monohull planing dinghy with a centerboard, Bermuda rig, and center sheeting) classes, Men's Laser, Women's Laser Radial (one-person dinghy), and Men's Finn (one-person heavyweight dinghy).

Concurrent with the sailing event, the National Windsurfing Championships 2017 is being held in Zhuhai for the first time. Scheduled are the Men's and Women's RS:X, and Men's and Women's T293.

The organizing committee also has put on a sailing culture exhibition and is sponsoring photography and video contests to promote maritime leisure sports and a healthy and fit lifestyle. In addition, onlookers will receive professional commentary from well-known players.

Participants

These tournaments support the marine economy in Zhuhai. The city's development plan calls for an offshore leisure and tourism industry through the integration of sports and vacationing.

Enterprises led by Jiuzhou Holding Group, one of the organizers, are promoting such sports to the general public. As a result, thousands of students have gained entry-level knowledge about sail boarding. Within just a year, some have won prizes in sailing competitions at home and abroad.

Developing a popular audience is of significance in developing a leisure travel destination featuring coastal sports, an additional calling card for the city. According to Du Zhuo, deputy secretary of the Standing Committee of the CPC Zhuhai Municipal Committee, this development goal will be fulfilled during the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20) period.

Countrywide competitors [Photos by Zhu Xi / Zhuhai Daily]

The national water-sports championships are also sponsored by the General Administration of Sports, Chinese Yachting Association, and Zhuhai government. The Culture, Sports & Tourism Bureau and Jiuzhou Holdings Group handle organization, with Jiuzhou Navigation Culture responsible for specific operations.