Sixth family race sets sail at Qinhuangdao

On May 1, the opening leg of the 2023 China Family Sailing Race kicked off at the Qinhuangdao International Tourism Port, and ran for two days. Family groups from Beijing, Hebei, Tianjin, Shandong and other provinces and cities participated, for a total of more than 100 participants.

Hebei Port Group has focused on the coordinated development of Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei, matched urban functions and developed a characteristic navigation brand. Hegang Group strives to build an international cruise port, a yacht center, an international training and racing base, a national sailing industry base and an international yacht exhibition and sales center. It is promoting Qinhuangdao International Tourism Port to help it become the largest sailing industrial base in northern China and integrate the distribution, maintenance and repair of boating equipment.

2023 marks the sixth year of the China Family Sailing Competition. Over the past five years, 41 events have been held in 18 cities across China, with more than 4,000 families participating.

Fu Danqing, vice president of the Chinese Windsurfing Association, said at the opening ceremony: "Qinhuangdao is a city with nautical genes and has created many firsts. Now Qinhuangdao further carries forward the sailing gene under government planning and the local sailing union. A large number of local residents have become sailing enthusiasts, participating in events such as home sailing races.

"The Qinhuangdao International Tourism Port, today's competition venue," Fu added, "was once a coal shipping and trading port and has been transformed into a family sailing resort."

Xiao Fengli, director of Qinhuangdao Sports Bureau, said: "Home Sailing has been held in Qinhuangdao three times, which has gained popularity in Qinhuangdao and influence in China. Sailing attracts families to travel, and they build a stronger relationship through the competition."

The Beinong sailing team, a family of five, competed for the seventh time.. Captain Zhang Renke was excited to share his experience: "Sailing helped me when I was going through the worst time of my life. It was sailing that taught me life is not only about the present. In the beginning I sailed alone, but today I brought my family, my students, my colleagues to participate. I feel very happy."

The event was sponsored by the China Sailing Sports Association, organized by Westport (Qinhuangdao) Sailing Sports Culture Development Co., LTD., co-organized by Hebei Port Group Co., LTD. And supported by Hebei Port Group Co., LTD. Westport Industrial Park Branch, Hebei Port Group Urban Construction Development Co., LTD., Qinhuangdao Sailing Sports Association. It was promoted by Shenzhen Hongjindi Sports Agency Co., LTD.