Young sailors battle for supremacy during a sailing competition in Rudong county, Nantong, in Jiangsu province, on May 11. [Photo/Rudong Daily]

Over 50 youngsters fought it out at a sailing regatta in Rudong county, Nantong, in Jiangsu province, on May 11.

The sailors, aged 8-14 from 10 sailing clubs in Jiangsu province, competed for hours at the county's Xiaoyangkou scenic area and 21 of them won places in the competition.

The event was organized by the sports association, water center, and sailing association in Jiangsu province and hosted by sports and education authorities in Rudong.

To attract participation of more teenagers, the Sailing Association of Jiangsu province has integrated the resources of clubs to offer improved support to enthusiasts.

The event concluded on May 12.

A major part of the Xiangyangkou Ocean Hot Spring Tourism Culture Festival, the competition aimed to provide young sailors with a platform to exchange skills and promote the sport across the province.

In the wake of the successful regatta, plans are for a sailing base to be established in Rudong county for visitors to enjoy the sport.

Gu Xinlin, deputy director of the Xiaoyangkou tourist attraction, said the area played host to over 2.6 million visitors last year.

He noted that the area is expected to see a boost in visitors in the future with the launch of tourism-related festivals.

Plans are for the sailing competition to be extended to another three cities within the next three months: Nanjing, Suzhou and Wuxi.

Xiaoyangkou scenic area in Rudong, which boasts some 4,000 hectares of tidal flats, is famous for its hot spring resources and seafood. It is also a popular place for sailors to brush up on their skills.

As a major part of the Xiangyangkou Ocean Hot Spring Tourism Culture Festival, the sailing regatta aims to offer young enthusiasts with a platform for young players to exchange their skills and promote the sport across the province. [Photo/Rudong Daily]