On October 11, the inaugural Shanxi Urban Sports Activities Week Sailboat City Invitational kicked off at the scenic Jinyang Lake in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province. This event not only challenges the conventional notion that inland cities cannot host sailing competitions but also marks Shanxi’s first successful hosting of a national sailing event, infusing the city with new energy and vibrancy.
Jinyang Lake has become the launching point for sailing activities in Shanxi, leveraging its unique natural conditions. As the highlight of the sports activities week, the sailboat invitational brought together eight elite sailing teams from cities including Tianjin, Hebei, Qinhuangdao, Beijing, Shenzhen, and Taiyuan. This lineup features experienced teams like the Tianjin Jinhai Club and Hebei Port Group Sailing Team, along with local rising stars such as the Jinyang Sailing Team and the Jinmao Mansion Sailing Team, both nurtured by the Jinyang Sailing Club. Throughout the competition, they will engage in intense races on the expansive waters of Jinyang Lake, using internationally recognized sailing models, DC20 and DC22, to deliver an exhilarating spectacle for audiences.
According to Gu Aiguo, Deputy Director of the Water Sports Center of the Shanxi Sports Bureau, this competition serves not only as a testament to the competitors’ skills but also as a platform for new exchanges and collaborations through the medium of sailing. “We hope this event will encourage more people to learn about and love Shanxi, elevating Taiyuan’s reputation and image. This will further integrate Shanxi into the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei economic circle and facilitate effective connections with resources from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area.”
Jinyang Lake, a beautiful asset for Taiyuan, attracts numerous residents to unwind with its expansive waters and ample recreational facilities. Over the past three years, the Jinyang sailing project has taken full advantage of the area’s natural advantages, establishing Dock 5 at Jinyang Lake Park as the starting point for sailing activities in Shanxi. Now, locals can experience a variety of sailing activities, including sightseeing tours, team-building training, educational programs, and team practices, successfully introducing a trendy yet niche urban sport to Taiyuan.
This integration of “sports and tourism” has robustly supported Shanxi’s ambition to develop a brand that combines commerce, tourism, culture, and sports. During the event, participating teams will compete across multiple rounds for prestigious honors, with awards to be announced for the top three teams in both DC20 and DC22 categories, along with corresponding prizes.
Looking ahead, Shanxi aims to adopt a more open, inclusive, and dynamic approach, inviting visitors to appreciate the beauty of Shanxi and the allure of sports while collectively witnessing the positive transformations that sports can bring to the city.
