Olympic Medal a Gust for Chinese Boating Industry
An Olympic Bronze Medal in sailing could be a kick along to getting the Chinese interested in boating.
'20-year-old Chinese athlete, Xu Lijia, scored her country's first medal in sailing.'
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Along with a cultural aversion for sun exposure, Chinese people have always held deep fears of water. These are just two of the obstacles analysts say have impeded the growth of the boating and leisure industries in this emerging powerhouse economy.
Interest in boating has proven slow and while across China, several cities have opened yachting clubs and hosted major boat shows, and last year, a China-organized team competed in sailing's granddaddy event, the America's Cup, mostly the reality is lagging behind the promise.
But in Qingdao during the Olympic competition, a 20-year-old Chinese athlete, Xu Lijia, scored her country's first medal in sailing, taking the bronze medal in the women's single-sailor Laser Radial class. This follows the success of China's women rowers who took out gold and silver.
Now surely, experts are saying, the Chinese people will embrace boating lifestyle and water sports in all their forms.
Qingdao, the site of sailing and windsurfing competitions during the Games, is also home to a plethora of boat manufacturers and is known as the birthplace of Chinese boating.
A former German colony best known for its Tsingtao beer, Qingdao turned out big crowds for the sailing events, partly due to ticket prices as low as $1.40 per session.
International sailing experts say that as China launches more sailing clubs along its thousands of miles of coastline, it will foster more talent such as Shanghai-born Xu, who began sailing at age 10.
Now sponsored by Nike, Visa and Nautica, Xu could inspire other young Chinese to sail. She says her big hope is to see more Chinese 'feel the freedom of the sea".
To cheer her on, future Chinese sailing hopefuls turned out in droves Tuesday, including a group of primary school kids dressed in wet suits adorned with their school logo. In a program launched three years ago, the youngsters have the option to supplement their studies with sailing classes.
But support was mostly at a local level. According to ACNeilsen analysis of audiences, only 5 % of Chinese households tuned in to sailing during the Games.
by Jeni Bone 
perth, WA
