HAIKOU /China/, November 15. /The 12th International Sailing Regatta will launch in the southern Chinese province of Hainan on the 23 of November, the Hainan International Communication Network (HICN) reported.

A total of 27 Chinese and foreign teams will start from the city of Sanya. Those who will complete the full route will finish the race in the same city on November 30. The regatta will be attended by 330 sailors from 16 countries and regions of the world, who will compete for a prize fund of 300 thousand yuan (about $42.2 thousand). Among them are sailors from France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, USA and Great Britain.

The full route of the regatta involves sailing around the entire island of Hainan. Those who pass half of the distance will finish in the city of Wanning. Should any teams require an emergency stopover, ports in Wenchang, Haikou, Danzhou and Dongfang will be available.

The competition involves several categories. The top three teams in each will receive prizes and various bonuses. The organizers will also award winners who are the first to cross the lines separating the different stages of the races and the final winner who covers the full distance the fastest.

In 2019, the local government unveiled a plan to develop yacht tourism in Hainan Province, according to which a free passage policy is established between the island and the Hong Kong and Macau Special Administrative Regions for sailing, motorized vessels and auxiliary sailboats for recreation or sports. Authorities are creating favorable conditions and an effective legislative framework for business in this area. One of the goals is to create a developed international center of yacht tourism on the island.

The International Sailing Regatta around Hainan Island has been held annually since 2010. The previous one was held in December 2020, but after that the regatta was not held for two years due to anti-COVID restrictions.