Hosted at the Ana Marina International Yacht Park, the event drew a large crowd of locals, tourists, and athletes for the 2024 National Clubs Sailing Championship and the 2024 Stand-Up Paddleboarding Championship for elite paddlers.

The competition featured 146 athletes from various clubs, provinces, and cities across the country, along with international participants. Over the course of two days (June 8-9), they competed in 10 high-performance events, 2 mass-participation events, and 2 events for international athletes.

At the opening ceremony, Mr. Lam Quang Thanh, President of the Vietnam Canoeing, Rowing, and Sailing Federation and head of the organizing committee, stated: "This event aims to promote Nha Trang's tourism to both domestic and international beach and sports enthusiasts. It also fosters a passion for and development of sailing and stand-up paddleboarding in Vietnam, providing athletes with the opportunity to compete and achieve high performance, enabling coaches and experts to select the most outstanding and promising athletes for the national youth team."

Mr. Thanh expressed hope that the Ana Marina International Yacht Park will continue to host many national and international sailing events annually, as it is considered an ideal competition venue by experts and meets international standards.

Following the opening ceremony on the morning of June 8, athletes showcased jetboard performances and a sailing parade, creating an impressive and unique spectacle on Nha Trang Bay.

The competition commenced with SUP events for both men and women, followed by dynamic and thrilling races featuring the ILCA7, ILCA6, ILCA4, and Optimist boats. In the afternoon, the competition continued with races featuring the 470, Fareast 11, and Fareast 28 boats.

Mr. Dang Hieu Minh, CEO of Ana Marina Joint Stock Company and a member of the organizing committee, remarked: "The race has garnered significant attention from local authorities, residents, and tourists right from the first day. This event is part of a series celebrating the 100th anniversary of Nha Trang's establishment and development (1924-2024) and marks the beginning of the Nha Trang Sea Tourism Festival, which takes place throughout June 2024."

"With well-prepared and professional investment, Ana Marina has all the favorable conditions not only to make this an annual event but also to host many other sailing competitions and provide facilities for athletes to train regularly," Mr. Minh added.

The National Clubs Sailing Championship and the Stand-Up Paddleboarding Championship for elite paddlers in 2024 offer many attractive prizes and medals from the Vietnam Canoeing, Rowing, and Sailing Federation and the organizers, including: gold medal - 1,000,000 VND per athlete; silver medal - 700,000 VND per athlete; bronze medal - 500,000 VND per athlete. Encouragement prizes (fourth place) of 100,000 VND per athlete and commemorative medals are awarded in each competition category.

Photos of the opening ceremony and the first day of competition:

Linh Trang - Hung Le