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Changsha residents to have taste of Regatta during Dragon Boat festival

Xinhua, June 19, 2015 Adjust font size:

Residents of China's Changsha city will have their first taste of regatta during the Chinese traditional Dragon Boat festival this year as the Xiangjiang River International Regatta Race will be held at the coming weekend.

The race, which is scheduled to start on the Dragon Boat festival day on Saturday, has attracted more than 200 sailors from about 70 teams including Russian Ruedo, Australian Yachting Queensisland, Italian Sunail Racing and Chinese Gele Mountain.

"It is the first time that such international scale regatta race is held on an inland river," said Su Ke, Secretary-General of Chinese Sailing Association. "We hope the success of the race will promote sailing sport to further inland of China."

After the Beijing 2008 Olympics Games, sailing sport has becoming more popular in China, especially along the eastern and southern coastal cities including Qingdao, Sanya, Xiamen and Shenzhen. The China Cup regatta, originated in 2007 and held once every year, has been the biggest sailing event in Asia.

Deputy Secretary General of China Cup regatta and technical supervisor of Xiangjiang River regatta race, Zhong Yong, said that sailing on the river is more challenging than that on the sea, but it will provide unparallel opportunity for local residents to experience the race.

According to the plan, sailors will race around the Juzizhou Island on the Xiangjiang River. Spectators along about 12.5km bank of the river will have a clear view of the race.

"We believe the race will inspire spectators' interest of the sport," said Su Ke. Endi