As the venue city for the 2008 Olympic sailing competition, Qingdao has committed to promoting the sailing sport amongst the young. The National OP Sailing Boat Competition, a top-level sailing event for the youth in China, was held recently in Qingdao.

       The competition has attracted 8 teams from Jiangsu, Fujian, Shanghai and Shandong. The young racers will first join a one-week training program and then compete for titles in six events. The OP Sailing Boat competition is a one-man event for teenagers under 16. After several years' training in the OP, racers could gradually stand out and join higher-level event. Some of the young attendees of this year's race will probably be the nation's renowned sailing athletes in future.

       Guizhou, an inland province, also sent teams to the event. The young racers are obviously confident of this water sport.

       As the host of the event, Shandong dispatched 5 boy athletes and 3 girl athletes to the race.