Suds ashore, foamy brine asea as sails sweep the bay

Spectators at the ongoing 2017 China National Windsurfing & National Sailing Championships were feted with great views from Haibin Beach in Jida served up complimentary ice-cold beer from world-famous sailing regatta city Qingdao.

It is the second time for China's highest-level sailing regatta to be held in Zhuhai. Due to the city concurrently hosting the National Windsurfing Championships for the first time, the tournaments have attracted some 400 sportsmen and women in 26 teams from around the country. The competitions run through Nov 19.

Spectators held telescopes and binoculars with free Tsingtao Beer at hand from Qingdao, Shandong Province. Audio-visual equipment on site promotes the brewery via a virtual visit to the northern coastal city, according to Ye Qiuli, a sailing coach from Jiuzhou Navigation Culture.

Tacking on Xianglu Bay

As brews were served, the first round began at the International Maritime Cultural Center & Regatta Service Center off the coast of Xianglu Bay in Xiangzhou at 1 pm on Nov 13 with hundreds of sailors and windsurfers putting their skills on the line.

Winds from the east that afternoon were Force 7 to 8 on the Beaufort scale and, according to one commentator, provided prime conditions.

The sailing races were competed close to shore, with the greatest number of competitors taking part. The cabin-free sailboard consists of a board, mast and 3-m sail. Instead of the usual drab gray fishing boats and barges, they presented a romantic panorama of white sales on blue waters from the shores and Lovers Avenue.

Skimming with Xiangzhou in background [Photos by Zhu Xi / Zhuhai Daily]

Women's Laser Radial dominated the middle area close to Zhuhai's Fisher Maiden statue while races in Men's and Women's 470 classes took place farther out. The latter is the most difficult to handle with the largest sail needed and requires ideal sea conditions.

Zhang Lu, a 20-year-old from Shandong, commented after she finished the doubles competition in the 470 Class that despite overcast skies and light drizzle, the waters and winds were all great.

Other sailing events of day were the Men's Laser and Men's Finn. Windsurfing competitions were held in the Men's and Women's RS:X, and Men's and Women's T293.