![Sailors getting ready for the next race to start Sailors getting ready for the next race to start](https://www.westerncape.gov.za/sites/www.westerncape.gov.za/files/sailors_getting_ready_for_the_next_race_to_start.jpg)
Young sailors from the Shandong Province in China took part in the final day of the Southern Charter Grand Slam at the False Bay Yacht club, Simons Town, on 6 April. Their participation was as a result of an agreement between the Western Cape and the Shandong province in China. The Chinese delegation was hosted by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) and South African Sailing Western Cape (SASWC).
The regatta took place from 3-6 April, during which the competitors took to the sea in daily races. Participants of the race were aged between 7-14 years old, and while winds were too strong for sailing on Sunday, the eager participants made up for the missed races on Monday. Chinese sailor, Jixian Wang, was awarded first place in the Optimist B fleet class; in which she and 3 other Chinese sailors took part. This is the second year that the race was held at False Bay Yacht Club.
Perry Harrison-Hyde from SASWC mentioned that DCAS sent Western Cape sailors to Shandong province to take part in a race in China last year. ‘We hope that the youth and cultural exchange programme will continue on an annual basis’ he said.
DCAS Deputy Director for Sport Promotion, Bennett Bailey, thanked the sailing community and federations for making the event a success. ‘DCAS has assisted sailors and footballers from the Western Cape to travel to China, and we look forward to sending more athletes from the Western Cape to Shandong Province. It is the support and co-operation from the sailing community that has made this agreement work’ he said.
Through initiatives such as this, DCAS offers sporting opportunities to youth. Partnerships such as these enable us to ensure we create an active province, BETTER TOGETHER.
Tania Colyn
Head of Communication Service
Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport
Tel: 021 483 9877
E-mail: tania.colyn@westerncape.gov.za