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Yacht racers set sail for the Dokdo Islets on Thursday when the three-day Korea Cup International Yacht Race began under the sponsorship of the Korea Sailing Federation. The route runs from Pohang to Ulleung Island to Dokdo to Ulleung Island. A total of 37 boats compete in the 415.59-km race, which is conducted in the East Sea with a view to attracting the attention of people from around the world to the Korean islets ahead of Dokdo Day on Saturday.
A total of 255 yachtsmen from 11 countries including Korea, Russia, New Zealand and France began navigating the first lap (about 209 km and a 24 hour-long navigation) from Bukbu Beach in Pohang to Ulleung Island on Thursday. They are to sail around Dokdo in a non-competition parade on Friday. On Saturday, they leave Dokdo for Ulleung Island for the second lap of about 75 km and a 10-hour navigation.
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Yachts participating in the Korea Cup International Yacht Race leave Bukbu Beach in Pohang for Dokdo on Thursday.
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The race is classified in two divisions -- one for professional yachtsmen under the Offshore Racing Congress and an open race for amateurs. For the safety of the offshore race, only yachts 9 m and longer with at least four sailors aboard are participating.
The awards ceremony will be held on Saturday afternoon. The total prize money is W43.6 million (US$1=W1,406), with W4 million to be given to the winner of each lap.
In his opening speech, Park Soon-ho, president of the Korea Sailing Federation, said, "The yacht race to Ulleung Island and Dokdo represents the single mind of the people toward Dokdo and the fact that it is Korean territory."
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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