OLYMPICS/ Qing dao
Sailing test event launched with spectacle
By Zhang Xiaomin (China Daily)
Updated: 2007-08-13 06:45
QINGDAO: The "Good Luck Beijing" Qingdao International Regatta was officially launched last night at the Olympic Sailing Center in Qingdao in East China's Shandong Province.
The opening ceremony started with a spectacular laser show that saw sailing boats guided by a beacon into Qingdao's marina on Fushan Bay.
After delegates from 49 countries and regions presented their flags and took to a stage, local sailors welcomed guests with some hallowed international maritime etiquette: light and flag signals.
Teenagers afloat on 116 boats across the Olympic waterway looked on in wonder as fireworks lit up the sky.
During the opening ceremony the regatta was launched by BOCOG Executive Vice President Yang Shu'an, Shandong Province Vice Governor Huang Sheng, Qingdao Mayor Xia Geng, International Sailing Federation (ISAF) President Goran Petersson, and Sinopec Sales Company Vice General Manager Zuo Xingkai.
"Last August, we met in Qingdao and jointly held a sailing event, which offered a satisfactory result," the city's proud mayor said.
"A year later, we are once again gathering here to carry out a dress rehearsal of the Olympic Sailing Regatta in line with Olympic standards and present the world with another glorious regatta."
A total of 387 sailors from 49 countries and regions will compete in Qingdao this year.
As the final test event of the Olympic Sailing Competition, the regatta will oblige the Olympic standard of allowing each country or region just one entry for each event.
All 11 Olympic sailing competition events - across nine classes - will be held between Wednesday and August 24.
Registration and measurement of boats will be conducted today and tomorrow.
A practice race today will be followed by the first genuine competition in eight events - across five racing areas - on Wednesday.
"The 2007 Qingdao International Regatta is an important part of Good Luck Beijing sports events," senior BOCOG official Yang Shu'an said.
"It is not only a dress rehearsal of the preparation work for this regatta, but also bears on the overall preparation of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
"We believe that Qingdao will fulfill the task of hosting a high-level Olympic sailing regatta with distinctive features, and make greater achievements in its economic and social undertakings."
ISAF President Goran Petersson described the regatta as an auspicious meet of sailors.
"The Opening Ceremony today marks an important moment as the countdown to the 2008 Olympic Games draws closer. This is an inspiring gathering of sailors, including Olympic and World Champions."
He also praised the Qingdao Sailing Committee.
"ISAF is very impressed by Qingdao's preparations for the Olympic sailing competition," he congratulated.
"The venue is outstanding and all plans are proceeding well.
"We enjoyed a fantastic test event last year in 2006 and I know the Organizing Committee, ISAF Race Officials, National Technical Officials and the many volunteers will do all they can to make this 2007 test event a great success."
(China Daily 08/13/2007 page6)
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