QINGDAO has become the host venue for the Extreme Sailing Series to be held between April 13 and 17 at the city’s International Sailing Center.

    A total of 44 competitors will represent 11 crews from 15 countries, including winners of Olympic gold medals and other international sailing competitions. The crews will compete in six races a day during the five-day series.

    Beginning in 2007, the Extreme Sailing Series is an international inshore racing circuit bringing together the best skippers on the planet competing with each other in state-of-the-art, 12-meter catamarans.

    In addition to Qingdao, this year’s series will be held in another eight cities, including Muscat in Oman, Istanbul in Turkey, Boston in the United States, Cowes in Britain, Trapani in Italy, Nice in France, Almeria in Spain and Singapore.

    Qingdao has hosted most international sailing regattas in Asia, including the Olympics, the Koribo Global Sailing Competition and Volvo Ocean Race. (Li Hao, Sun Fei)