The 4th Meisha Cup China Yacht Association (CYA) Youth Regatta finals kicked off on October 2 in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province.

The three-day finals featured 122 contestants aged from 9 to 16, from more than 10 clubs in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Xiamen, in two classes of Topper and OP.

CYA chairman Zhang Xiaodong said that the tournament has become the top competition for the young amateur sailors since it set up in 2015.

"It provides a platform for the young sailors to communicate with each other. Moreover, many young sailors become maturing enough to demonstrate their powers on the world stage," said Zhang.

Xu Xiaorong, the youngest at the age of nine from Team Dalian Yunshan, started sailing two years ago, and has taken part in several competitions.

"He is too young to win the match. We expect him to have more experience, which is more important," said coach Zhou Junlong.

Cosmas Grelon, a French coach with Vanhang Sailing Club, said his club has 30 sailors into the finals. "They're rich with international competition experience," he said.

"China has long coast lines, and has made great progress in sailing. More and more people are joining in the sport, especially the youth, and I believe China has a bright future in sailing," said Grelon.

(Xinhua News Agency October 2, 2018)