Australian Queensland wins first ever sailing race on inland river in China

Australian Queensland won the FAREAST 28 race in the Xiangjiang River International Regatta on Sunday, which was the first ever sailing race on an inland river in China.

Skipper Klade Hauschildt led his fleets fleet was disqualified after first day race when his team violated the race rule on Saturday,but beating their opponents and rainy weather after three rounds on Sunday for the gold.

To Xiangjiang River regatta organizer, the race revitalized the scenery in a poem written in 1925 by Mao Zedong, founder of the People's Republic of China and born in Hunan Province. In his poem of "Changsha -- Spring in a Pleasure Garden", Mao Zedong described such scenery on the Xiangjiang River as "the river is green down to the bed, in speed a hundred boats vie".

Zhong Yong, the supervisor of the event, said, "When millions of spectators along the banks of river watch the race, the poem will appear in their minds."

"I learnt that poem when I was a child," said a spectator who only gave his name as Mr. Chen. "But during the Dragon Boat vacation this year, the picture in the poem became reality on Xiangjiang River."

However, Su Ke, Secretary-General of Chinese Sailing Association, the sport governing body of the country, said, "We hope after the success of Xiangjiang River regatta, we will try to have more races on inland rivers and lakes."

"There are about 3000 natural lakes in China which make it possible to have more regatta races in inland areas," said Su Ke. "We expect to have regatta league one day in the country."

Su Ke's idea was echoed by Zhong Yong, also deputy secretary of China Open regatta. "Our next plan is to organize more sailing races on further inland rivers and lakes," he said. Endi