On August 16, the "Liu Gong Island" Cup 2015 Weihai International Sailing Regatta concluded successfully. This competition set three historical records for sailing events in Weihai—largest scale, most diverse events, and highest number of participating vessels. It earned widespread acclaim from all sectors of society for the athletes' outstanding performances and the organizers' ingeniously designed event. As the sole sponsor and title sponsor of the regatta, the Liu Gong Island Management Committee provided meticulous and comprehensive services and full-scale event support, ensuring the smooth running of the competition. The thoughtful, high-quality services, along with the stunning scenery both on and off the island, left a deep impression on the participants—"Liu Gong Island" is no longer just an island.
It is understood that at the beginning of the event preparations, accommodation and catering were a headache for the organizing committee. Preliminary estimates suggested that nearly 200 people needed to be accommodated and fed during the competition. During the peak tourist season, hosting such a large number of guests is no easy task for any hotel. After careful consideration and evaluation, the committee ultimately designated the Liu Gong Island Hotel as the designated reception unit for athletes and referees, taking full responsibility for accommodation and catering. Despite the heavy burden, it did not disrupt the work rhythm of the Liu Gong Island Management Committee and hotel staff. They managed check-ins for athletes and referees in an orderly and efficient manner and provided timely meals during the competition to ensure the athletes maintained good physical condition. Moreover, the Liu Gong Island Management Committee also went above and beyond to assist in the preparation of the opening and closing ceremonies and other aspects of the event.
After a day of racing, taking a stroll around Liu Gong Island became the choice of many athletes to unwind and relieve stress. Under the night sky, Liu Gong Island is quieter and more reserved compared to its lively daytime atmosphere, with only the occasional waves on the sea embodying the vitality of life. This year, the sailing regatta introduced a breakthrough in its format—the Inshore Island Race. According to the organizing committee, the sea conditions near Liu Gong Island are relatively complex, with frequent sudden gusts of wind, which put athletes’ driving skills to the test, making the competition even more challenging and thrilling.
"Liu Gong Island has a long coastline and high-quality sandy beaches, and the surrounding waters are quite vast. Could we build a sailing base here?" said one athlete after the Inshore Island Race.
In fact, as early as the beginning of the last century, the British fleet had established the "Weihaiwei Mandarin Duck Sailing Club" on Liu Gong Island, holding annual sailing competitions in the summer and bringing Western sailing sports to Weihai, making it one of the earliest regions in modern China to see sailing activities. The reason Liu Gong Island became the site of the sailing club is inseparable from its unique natural advantages—its pleasant temperate maritime climate, distinctive harbors, and 14.95-kilometer-long coastline all provide ideal conditions for sailing training. The island’s southern side features several high-quality sandy beaches, which are also well-suited for boat mooring. Today, the Liu Gong Island Scenic Area, as the only AAAAA-level tourist attraction in Weihai and a memorial site of the First Sino-Japanese War, combines patriotic education demonstration bases with island scenery, historical and cultural heritage, attracting numerous domestic and international visitors. Coupled with the city’s convenient land, sea, and air transportation links, it can closely connect with sailing enthusiasts from cities such as Qingdao, Dalian, Shanghai, Xiamen, Hong Kong, as well as from South Korea, Japan, Singapore, and other countries, all of which contribute to the advantages of building a leisure sailing and training base.
It is believed that in the near future, Liu Gong Island will be surrounded by a forest of sails, and with the joint efforts of all parties, it will eventually become a world-renowned—and even globally significant—sailing tourism destination.