ORC Strengthens Presence in China Following Successful Qingdao Visit

18 April 2026 - The Offshore Racing Congress (ORC) continues to expand its global footprint with a successful visit to Qingdao, China, during the recent 2026 City Club International Sailing Regatta.

Invited by the China Marina Sports School (CMSS), ORC Chief Measurer Zoran Grubisa conducted a comprehensive programme including a measurement seminar and presentations to both race officials and sailors. The visit marks an important step in the continued development of offshore racing under ORC rules in China.

Building a Strong Foundation

CMSS, established by the General Administration of Sport of China as the country’s leading authority for nautical sports training and development, is based at the Olympic Sailing Center in Qingdao and is positioning itself as the central body for keelboat racing in China. With established fleets such as the Fareast 28R and J/80, and clear ambitions to expand offshore racing, the organisation demonstrates strong potential for future growth.

While the current level of competition is still at an early stage, the enthusiasm and commitment observed suggest a promising trajectory for the sport in the region.

ORC Adoption and Local Development

Following ongoing collaboration—including previous ORC involvement in the Round Hainan Regatta–China is moving toward adopting ORC as its primary rating system.

A key milestone from this visit is the successful establishment of an ORC Rating Office in China. Local staff are now prepared to independently process and issue ORC certificates, marking a significant step forward in supporting the growth of offshore racing in the region.

Education and Knowledge Sharing

The visit included:

• A full measurement seminar covering all aspects of the International Measurement System (IMS), including hull, rig, sails, and stability

• Practical sessions such as inclining tests and sail measurement

• Presentations for race management teams and sailors, with translation support

The sessions were well received, with participants showing strong engagement and willingness to adopt ORC methodologies.

“I was impressed by the level of organisation and the enthusiasm shown by both sailors and race officials. It is clear that there is a strong foundation for future development.”
— Zoran Grubisa

Race Management and Technology

Race officials demonstrated readiness to implement ORC race management tools, including Performance Curve Scoring (PCS) and Weather Routing Scoring (WRS). While initial testing was conducted on shorter courses, there is clear potential for applying these systems to longer offshore races such as the Round Hainan Regatta.

Looking Ahead

The collaboration with CMSS opens several opportunities for future development:

• Further strengthening of the newly established ORC rating office in China

• Expansion of offshore racing events under ORC rules

• Potential development of new ORC-optimized yacht designs

• Long-term vision of regional cooperation, possibly leading to an Asian ORC Championship

“The visit to Qingdao confirmed a strong interest in ORC and a clear willingness to develop offshore racing in China. While still at an early stage, the potential for growth is significant.”
— Zoran Grubisa

ORC remains committed to supporting the growth of fair and competitive offshore racing worldwide and looks forward to continuing its cooperation with partners in China.