Ningbo welcomes international sailing event

The Asian Sailing Center in Ningbo's Xiangshan county. [Photo/Xiangshan bureau of culture, radio, television, tourism, and sports]

Sails will fill the waters of Xiangshan county as the 2026 Ningbo International Regatta opens on May 21 at the Asian Sailing Center.

The four-day event will bring together 34 domestic teams and 12 overseas teams from 10 countries, creating a vibrant international gathering for sailing enthusiasts.

This year's competition introduces a new women's category, joining university, professional, public welfare, and club teams to form a more diverse and inclusive lineup.

As an upgraded continuation of the 2025 China–CEE International Regatta, the event has become the first keelboat sailing competition in China to be included in official promotional calendars of both World Sailing and the Asian Sailing Federation.

Beyond the races, the regatta will also host a forum on the development of Ningbo's leisure boating industry. Experts and business representatives from sectors including the yacht industry, sailboat manufacturing, and water sports will discuss the future of marine sports and industry cooperation.

The event will also test the application of China's BeiDou Navigation Satellite System in sailing competitions, marking the system's first trial use in an outdoor sports event.