Qingdao voted Best Asian Maritime Capital

Qingdao was named Asia's Maritime Capital at the fourth edition of the Christofle Asia Boating Awards, held recently at Le Royal Meridien in Shanghai. The award recognises the tremendous effort that has been put into turning that city into a sailing hub in preparation for the 2008 Olympic Games. The city is now widely acknowledged as China's City of Sailing, and boasts some of the finest boating facilities, many of which are meant to draw everyday people onto the water and learn boating.

This year's event was a big one for China. The newly created China Cup International Regatta was named Yachting Event of the Year, and for good reason. The China Cup, which runs from Hong Kong to Daya Bay, on the Shenzhen coast, is already one of Asia's biggest events. With the recent purchase of 20 new boats for the one-design class, the China Cup promises to be the biggest yachting event in Asia in only its second year. The creator of the event, Wei Di, was named Personality of the Year for his efforts.

Other notable wins included the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club, which was awarded Best Asian Marine/Yacht Club of the Year. Best New Asian Marine/Yacht Club went to the Marina at Keppel Bay, which has already staged a number of flagship events and will host the Boat Asia show.

The annual Christofle Asia Boating Awards show is one of the region's premier events for recognising the efforts of boat builders, marinas, clubs and individuals in creating a diverse and exciting boating community. "This is the chance for Asia to celebrate its achievement as a growing centre of luxury boating that will rival places like the Caribbean and the Mediterranean in the near future," said Olivier Burlot, Managing Director of Blu Inc Media, publisher of Asia-Pacific Boating and China Boating magazines.

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