The 2025 Pingtan International Regatta kicked off on June 8 near the No. 22 International Yacht Marina in Pingtan, a scenic island off Fujian province and China's second international tourism destination after Hainan. Ten teams from across the globe battled for supremacy in a high-stakes sailing showdown, with the Stars & Stripes Team USA emerging as champions. Fuzhou Haiyue and Hainan Yaqing International Clearwater Bay Yacht Club secured second and third place, respectively.

At 11 a.m., the blast of a horn signaled the start of the race as the fleet sliced through the waves, their vibrant sails painting a dazzling spectacle against the blue horizon. The event featured high-speed "Flying Tiger" catamarans racing through a multi-lap buoy course, where split-second decisions and tactical maneuvering led to dramatic mid-race overtakes.

Among the competitors, one sailor stands out-Xu Jingkun, the former national team athlete who has overcome extraordinary challenges to become one of the world's most respected offshore sailors. After losing his left forearm in a childhood accident, Xu went on to complete multiple transatlantic crossings and became one of the few disabled athletes to stand in the upper echelons of sailing.

"Pingtan is world-famous for its winds, with stunning natural conditions perfectly suited for ocean sports and competitive sailing," says Xu, who in 2025 made history as the first Chinese skipper to complete the grueling Vendée Globe solo nonstop circumnavigation.

"Pingtan's translucent seas revealed underwater ballets of seaweed, while ideal winds transformed the regatta into a masterclass of seamanship," said Kuang Yingying from Team LORCH from Macau, marveling at the conditions during their debut race in Pingtan.

The regatta marks another step in Pingtan's push to establish itself as a premier destination for international marine sports. Organizers highlighted the event's role in showcasing the island's potential for world-class sailing competitions.

With its pristine waters and strategic location near the Taiwan Straits, Pingtan continues to draw global attention as a hub for maritime adventure and cross-Straits exchange.