Under the molten-gold sunset, a forest of masts stands against the sky in Fushan Bay, white sails slicing through the glittering waves—this is Qingdao in September, where thousands of vessels race across the sea. Thus, thrilling and dream-filled maritime competitions once again unfold in the"Sailing Capital."
From September 12 to 21, the 2025 17th Qingdao International Sailing Week · Qingdao International Ocean Festival and the 2nd China (Qingdao) International Marine Sports Conference were successfully held. This marine sports extravaganza, under the theme"Legacy of the Olympics, Sailing in Qingdao; Sailing Capital, Sports City," attracted over 2,400 participants, including guests, athletes, and referees from 30 countries and regions, setting a record for the largest scale in its history. Against the backdrop of blue seas and skies, sailing, kayaking, rowing, and other water competitions intertwined to create a dynamic maritime sports panorama.
In Fushan Bay, scattered white sails dotted the azure canvas like stars; at Shilaoren Beach, coastal rowers dashed through the waves; at the Olympic Sailing Center, athletes of diverse backgrounds shared laughter and camaraderie—the sea breeze in Qingdao during September carried with it an air of passion and dreams.
If the ocean is an eternal poem, then sailboats are its most vivid verses. The 2025"Asian Sailing Federation Cup" Qingdao International Regatta set sail in Fushan Bay, attracting 13 top-tier teams and nearly a hundred sailors from home and abroad. Meanwhile, the Qingdao International Youth Sailing Regatta (ILCA4 Class), Qingdao-ASEAN Optimist Dinghy Invitational, and Qingdao International Optimist Dinghy Camp & Regatta also took place in Qingdao's Fushan Bay.
The Olympic legacy continues to surge with new vitality. Over seventeen years, though the Olympic flame has long faded, the glory of the"Sailing Capital" has not dimmed with time: the annual Sailing Week · Ocean Festival has been held without interruption, making Qingdao the Asian city hosting the most international sailing events. The"Welcome to Sailing" public participation initiative has attracted over 850,000 participants, truly bringing the Olympic legacy into the lives of ordinary people.
Today, these waters, which once witnessed Olympic glory, are embracing a new mission. Emerging sports like coastal rowing and ocean kayaking have taken root here, continuing Qingdao’s enduring connection with the Olympic spirit. As one competing athlete remarked,"Standing by the shore in Qingdao, it’s as if you can still hear the echoes of cheers from 2008—this atmosphere is irreplaceable."
Though the sails have returned to port, dreams never dock. Qingdao, the"Sailing Capital," awaits its next blue rendezvous with the world with even greater openness and confidence.