Sailors of 100 teams from around the world, including the U.S., France, Austria and Russia, will participate in the 14th China Cup International Regatta (CCIR) 2022, which is scheduled to kick off today and last until Sunday at Daya Bay in Dapeng New District, according to a news conference held by the city government yesterday.

Coming back after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic, this year’s regatta consists of five categories, specifically First 40.7, J80, Fareast 23R, IRC and Topper (youths).

Initiated in Shenzhen in 2007, the CCIR is the first international regatta event in Chinese history and the only event of its kind named “China Cup.”

It has now developed into an international sailing event ranking first in Asia and third in the world in terms of popularity and influence. It is also the only sports game event that has been written into the city government’s implementation plan to build Shenzhen into a global marine center, according to the conference.

The past 13 editions of the CCIR have attracted 521 sailing teams with over 10,000 professional players from more than 50 countries and regions to compete.

It is worth noticing that this year’s regatta has adopted an environmentally friendly concept.

Usual printed materials such as different types of manuals will be sent out in digital forms. Captains of each team are also encouraged to engage in eco-friendly navigation in a bid to achieve “zero pollution.”

Sailing was first introduced as an Olympic sport at the 1900 Paris Games.

Organizers hope that the event can increase citizens’ love for sailing and coastal living, and help Shenzhen build itself into an internationally renowned sports city, a global marine center and an international consumption center city.

Apart from the event, Shenzhen will host over 50 water sports events such as sailing, windsurfing, rowing and dragon boating this year, as per the conference.

According to a 2019 blue paper on Shenzhen’s sailing sports, the sailing-driven consumption in the city exceeded 1 billion yuan (US$150 million) each year.

Shenzhen had been home to nearly 30 well-known yacht clubs, and the number of people participating in sailing training exceeded 50,000 people every year, as per the paper.