China Cup International Regatta makes waves

by Rob Kothe, Sail-World.com on 23 Oct 2007
The newest keelboat regatta on the world sailing scene, the China Cup International Regatta is making waves.

The inaugural CCIR was sailed 19-21 October 2007 in Shenzen, China just a few hours north of Hong Kong. Organised by the Chinese Yachting Association and the Executive Authority of the Organizing Committee of the 26th Summer Universiade (Shenzhen, China), the event was hosted by the Longcheer Yacht Club, with top-class race management supplied by the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club

Sailing in Asia is progressing very rapidly. The Phuket King’s Cup in Thailand has been the flagship sailing event in Asia for many years, ever growing in stature. Other Asian countries have seen what an important event the King’s Cup has become and have been keen to develop their own signature sailing events.

The latest Asian regattas attract international attention and both organisers and competitors have substantial budgets. Two years ago the Monsoon Cup in Terengganu, Malaysia, hit the World Matchracing Tour with a multimillion dollar annual budget. The proposed three year budget for the China Cup International Regatta has been announced as US$40 million.

Over the last few years, the China sailing scene has begun to boom. In August 2007, the Olympic Test event was held in Qingdao. The sailing venue was the first completed for the Beijing Olympics, and it shows just how serious China is about sailing. Sailors who have been to Qingdao all agree that the facilities are first class. The Olympic Trials certainly had unprecedented local Government support and enthusiastic volunteers and spectators.

Asian Yachting circuit veteran Captain Marty Rijkuris has been telling Asian events for some years that the key to long-term success is one-design boats.

Listening carefully, the China Cup organisers purchased ten Beneteau First 40.7’s to create a One Design class. Simpson Marine, the Asian Beneteau distributor, even fielded their own boat.

Crews from Australia, Brazil, Denmark, France United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, Taiwan and USA were racing against two Mainland China teams.

In a second one-design class international crews from Malaysia, South Africa and France were competing on the China-built one-design sports boat, the 10 metre ‘Flying Tiger’, designed by respected American Naval architect Robert Perry and built by Hansheng Yachts in Xiamen, China,

Racing started on 19 October with a passage race from Hong Kong to the Longcheer Yacht Club, Shenzhen, China. This was followed by two days of inshore windward/leeward racing and an islands coastal race. The fleet of 55 boats sailed in four divisions, including IRC, sportsboat and the two One Design classes.

Hong Kong sailor Frank Pong sailed his maxi yacht Jelik, the Reichel Pugh designed 76 footer (23 metre), to victory in the first race of the series.

Jelik was greeted by a large crowd of spectators and media as she arrived at the Longcheer Yacht Club marina. It was a popular win for the veteran Chinese sailor, who was the Honorary Chairman of the America’s Cup China Team. Pong said, ‘We are making history, this will be the first of many keelboat sailing regattas in China.’

At the Opening Ceremony the President of the Chinese Yachting Association Zhang Faqiang declared the China Cup International Regatta open in front of a large crowd of dignitaries. The festivities included an amazing display of fireworks, which left columns of coloured smoke hanging in the air, before the fleet began racing on Daya Bay.

Australian Ray Roberts sailed his DK46 Quantum Racing to overall victory in the five race series.

Roberts is without doubt the most successful sailor on the Asian circuit in recent years; with tactician Stephen McConaghy and a highly experienced racing crew he has won two Phuket King’s Cups, the Raja Muda, the Singapore Straits Regatta and the Hong Kong to Hainan Race.

He has twice won the Langkawi Regatta, and also the Koh Samui Regatta and the Borneo International Yachting Challenge in Malaysia.

Ray Roberts commented post event, ‘The on-water management, provided by the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club was excellent. We had the top boats in Asia here; the top boats here are as good as any in the world, the facilities are great and the entertainment superb.’

Japan’s Mamoru Nagata sailed his Beneteau 40.7 to victory in this one design class ahead of Marcos Soares, 1980 470 Olympic Gold Medalist skippering the Brazilian entry. Mike Calkoen’s New Zealand team was third. Soares commented, ‘We are really happy to be here, we have wives and families enjoying a wonderful time here in Shenzhen. We are looking forward to flying the flag for Brazil at this event again next year.’

China Team sailed the Longtze Premier 6.5 metre sports boat to victory in their class. They took line honours and won on handicap in three of the four races sailed.

The top results were:

IRC A
1 Quantum Racing
2 Jelik
3 Fortis Mandrake

IRC B (inc Beneteau 40.7 One Design)
1 Japan
2 Brazil
3 New Zealand

HKPN
1 Xanadu 2
2 Tara
3 Lady Luck

CCPN
1 Longtze Premier
2 Tornado
3 China 7

The final night Gala Presentation function was the most spectacular this writer has seen at any sailing event.

It was staged at the very impressive Sheraton Dameisha Resort overlooking Dapeng Bay. There were Fashion TV Models everywhere and fireworks lit the sky. There was an art show, party and cocktail party at the F! F! Space Art Gallery at the Floating Villa near Shenzhen, and during the regatta, there was an economic forum, a golf tournament, fashion shows, a wine tasting and a music festival.

During the China Cup International Regatta hundreds of Shenzhen University students, studying English, acted as volunteer guides and interpreters for the sailors and the international media and their assistance proved invaluable.

If the annual expenditure continues at the level of the first year, and at projected levels, this event could quickly become the biggest in Asia and a major one on the world scene, with more international competitors than the Rolex Big Boat Series in San Francisco (USA) or even the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Race (Australia).

Vice Mayor of Shenzhen, Liang Daoxing says Shenzhen will be an important sailing centre, because of its weather and geography. ‘Shenzhen has the most private sailboats in China, making it the right place for the development of the marine industry and culture.’

Australian sailor Andy McPhail, tactician on Swish, the Australian Beneteau 40.7 entry in the regatta, has sailed in dozens of Asian regattas and he commented, ‘If the Chinese organisers are able to increase the major One Design fleet to say 20 boats with national crews from countries around the world, this will quickly become one of the key international events.’

‘The future for sailing in China is very bright. The 2008 Olympic sailing regatta in Qingdao will be a major step forward for Chinese sailing, and then the Volvo Ocean Race will stop in Qingdao in early 2009.

Will sailing be really big in China? When you see 100 or so media, both domestic and international, at an event like this you’d have to think so.

More information and full results at www.chncup.com

High resolution images available for editorial use only