Sailing in Asia has progressed rapidly over the last few years. With the Phuket Kings Cup in Thailand ever growing in stature, other Asian countries have seen what an important event the Kings Cup has become and have been keen to develop their own signature events.
The newest keel boat regatta on the world sailing scene, the China Cup International Regatta is making waves. The inaugural China Cup International Regatta was sailed from October 19th to 21st 2007 in Shenzen, China just a few hours north of Hong Kong.

Organised by the Chinese Yachting Association and the Executive Authority of the Organizing Committee of the 26th Summer Universiade (Shenzhen, China), the event was hosted by the Longcheer Yacht Club, with race management supplied by the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club.

The latest Asian regattas attracting international attention and competitors have large budgets. Two years ago the Monsoon Cup in Terengganu, Malaysia hit the World Matchracing Tour with a multimillion dollar annual budget. The proposed three year budget for the China Cup International Regatta has been revealed at US$40 million.

Over the last few years, the China sailing scene has begun to boom. In August 2007, the Olympic Test event was held in Qingdao. The sailing venue was the first completed for the Beijing Olympics and it show just how serious China is about sailing. The Olympic Trials certainly had unprecedented local Government support and enthusiastic volunteers and spectators.

Asian Yachting circuit veteran Captain Marty Rijkuris has been advising Asian events for some years, that the key to long term success is one design boats. Listing carefully, the China Cup organisers purchased ten Beneteau First 40.7's to create a one design class. Simpson Marine, the Asian Beneteau distributor fielded their own boat. Crews from Australia, Brazil, Denmark, France United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, Taiwan and USA were racing against two Mainland China teams.

In a second one design class international crews from Malaysia, South Africa and France were competing on the China built one design sports boat, the '10 metre Flying Tiger', designed by respected American Naval architect Robert Perry and built by Hansheng Yachts in Xiamen, China,

Racing started on the 19th October with a passage race from Hong Kong to the Longcheer Yacht Club, Shenzhen, China. This was followed by two days of inshore windward/leeward racing and an Island passage race. The fleet of 55 boats sailed in four divisions, including IRC, sports boat and the two One Design classes.

Famous Hong Kong sailor Frank Pong sailed his maxi yacht Jelik, the Reichel Pugh designed 76 footer (23 metre boat), to victory in the first race of the series. Jelik was greeted by a large crowd of spectators and media as she moved to the Longcheer Yacht Club marina. It was a popular win for the veteran Chinese sailor, who was the Honorary Chairman of the America's Cup China Team. Pong said, 'We are making history, this will be the first of many keelboat sailing regattas in China.'

At the Opening Ceremony the President of the Chinese Yachting Association Zhang Faqiang declared the China Cup International Regatta open in front of a large crowd of dignitaries. The festivities included an amazing display of fireworks, which left columns of coloured smoke hanging in the air, before the fleet began racing on Daya Bay.

Australian Ray Roberts sailed his DK46 Quantum Racing to overall victory in the five race series. Roberts is without doubt the most successful sailor on the Asian circuit in recent years; with tactician Stephen McConaghy and a highly experienced racing crew he has won two Phuket Kings Cup, the Raja Muda, the Singapore Straits regatta, the Hong Kong to Hainan race, he has twice won the Langkawi Regatta and the Koh Samui Regatta and the Miri Regatta in Borneo, Malaysia.

Ray Roberts commented post event, 'The on-water management, provided by the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club was excellent. We had the top boats in Asia here; the top boats here are as good as any in the world, the facilities are great and the entertainment superb.'

Japan's Mamoru Nagata sailed his Beneteau 40.7 to victory in this one design class from Marcos Soares, 1980 470 Olympic Gold Medalist skippering the Brazilian entry with Mike Calkoen's New Zealand team was third. Soares commented, 'We are really happy to be here, we have wives and families enjoying a wonderful time here in Shenzhen. We are looking forward to carrying the flag for Brazil at this event again next year.'

China Team sailed the Longtze Premier 6.5 metre sports boat to victory in their class. They took line honours and won on handicap in three of the four races sailed.

The top results were:

IRC A 1. Quantum Racing 2. Jelik 3. Fortis Mandrake

IRC B (Beneteau 40.7 One Design) 1. Japan 2. Brazil 3. New Zealand

HKPN 1. Xanadu 2 2. Tara 3. Lady Luck

CCPN 1. Longtze Premier 2. Tornado 3. China 7