HONG KONG, December 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — ChinaOne.Ningbo Sailing Team achieved a historic victory in the prestigious Sun Hung Kai & Co Around the Island Race 2025, taking line honors in one of Asia’s largest and most competitive coastal sailing events. Crossing the finish line first among a formidable fleet of competitors, the result marked a triumphant Hong Kong debut for Team ChinaOne.Ningbo’s M32 class high-speed catamaran.
Victorious debut in Hong Kong
The culmination of the 17th International Cup of China Regatta, the round-island race attracted more than 200 boats and 1,500 sailors from across the region. Faced with a demanding 26 nautical mile course, marked by unpredictable winds, changing seas and complex island passages, the ChinaOne.Ningbo crew demonstrated impressive teamwork, strategy and resilience.
“This race is very important for ChinaOne.Ningbo. Winning top honors among a fleet of more than 200 boats fills us with immense pride,” said Philip Sohmen, co-founder of ChinaOne.Ningbo. “With a core crew of Chinese sailors, including Olympic champion Xu Lijia at the helm, the team pushed their limits over nearly 50 kilometers, balancing speed, precision and endurance. This was no easy task: our deepest admiration goes to the entire crew.”
The team for this regatta included Xu Lijia, Liu Ming, Zheng Yi as well as Australian Nacra class specialists Jake Liddell and Brin Liddell. In preparation for Hong Kong’s highly variable conditions, the crew underwent extensive pre-race training in a wide range of wind speeds from 14 to 22 knots.
Winning formula: local talent takes center stage
Unlike traditional regattas, the Around the Island Race uses a staggered start system: slower classes start earlier, with faster vessels starting later, ensuring competitive balance and suspense throughout the event. The first group of boats started the race at 8:30 a.m., while ChinaOne.Ningbo took off on the penultimate start with the Fast Fleet boats at 10:30 a.m.
The first phase of the race tested the team’s patience and precision. With light breezes of around 3 knots dominating Victoria Harbour, the risk of a Did Not Finish (DNF) became significant if they failed to clear the Lei Yue Mun harbor entrance before the 12:30 p.m. deadline. Through meticulous wind chasing and decisive maneuvering, the team cleared the harbor gates just in time.
“The wind was variable around the harbor buildings, but after Lei Yue Mun the conditions became ideal,” explained team tactician Jake Liddell. “Once in open waters, the speed of the M32 allowed us to overtake the fleet and secure line honors.”
Charting the Future: Navigating Forward with a Mission
Beyond the sporting feat, this victory embodies the fusion of Ningbo’s maritime heritage – as the hub of the Maritime Silk Road and the most important port in the world – and the excellence of modern sailing. Bringing this spirit back from its base
Xiangshan Asian Games Sailing Center in Ningbo to Hong Kong Port, the team showcased Ningbo’s pioneering character, defined by perseverance, collaboration and exploration.
“As Hong Kongers with roots in Ningbo, we are proud to bring the spirit of Ningbo to Hong Kong,” said Philip Sohmen. “ChinaOne.Ningbo is dynamic, dedicated and resilient – a true reflection of this spirit. This honor belongs to the crew and would not have been possible without the strong support of the Ningbo Sports Bureau, the Xiangshan County People’s Government and our valued partners including Youngor and Helly Hansen.
About ChinaOne.Ningbo
ChinaOne.Ningbo is a professional sailing team established in 2017 with the support of the city of Ningbo and led by two-time America’s Cup winner Craig Monk. The team brings together the best Chinese and international sailors on a mission of global collaboration and excellence in competitive sailing. Since its creation,
ChinaOne.Ningbo has won five world championship titles, including the U32 World Championships in 2017 and 2018, while continuing to lead the development of professional sailing across Asia and contributing to the development of youth and amateur sailing in Ningbo. ChinaOne.Ningbo recently secured third place at the 2025 M32 Class World Championships held in November 2025 in Miami, the only Asian team to participate in this high-level regatta.
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SOURCE ChinaOne. Ningbo Sailing Team
