Photo: Courtesy of the Chinese Yachting Association

A total of 17 elite young yacht sailors are expected to compete at the national sailing championships in laser 4.7 dinghies, thanks to their solid performances in the Youth Sailing League this season. 

The league, which completed its last race on Wednesday in Qinhuangdao, North China's Hebei Province, has witnessed several promising stars for China's national sailing squad. 

Ma Yu, winner of the boys' laser 4.7 in Qinhuangdao, said this season his training time with the yacht was limited only to weekends due to the coronavirus epidemic. 

The league was also a victim of the epidemic, as the season was postponed for nearly half a year. 

The original racing schedule was cut short due to the impact of an approaching typhoon in the region. The national championships will be staged in Qinhuangdao from September 2 to 5.