Cheng Ying-kit is the only Chinese sailor in the China Team at the America's Cup World Series. Chen Jia / China Daily

Strong tidal currents and erratic, cold winds this week greeted the first Chinese sailor to take part in yachting's prestigious America's Cup World Series.

"I've exhausted myself every time training with my fellow crew in the past year," 32-year-old Cheng Ying-kit, the only Chinese sailor in the China Team, said on Tuesday at San Francisco Bay. "Now we are ready to fight for the best result of the oldest trophy in international sport."

Hong Kong-born Cheng used to be a repairman on a yacht. "That's why I've been familiar with every part of yacht since I was 14 years old."

The team is supported by the nation's General Administration of Sports and the Chinese Yachting Association, and sponsored by China Equity Group, whose president and CEO, Wang Chaoyong, founded the team.

The team's 25-year-old skipper Phil Robertson and the three other crew - Garth Ellingham, Nick Catley and Dave Swete - are from New Zealand.

For Robertson, the San Francisco regatta means a "massive challenge" due to the conditions, particularly the strong winds. The team has spent two days repairing part of the hull after last Wednesday's practice.

There are three Chinese in the shore team, two of them women.

"We are passionate for America's Cup, just like Formula One drivers," said 29-year-old Song Kun, the racing manager.

"Is pale skin beautiful? Or tan better? More Chinese women will find answers from yachting, as the color of skin tells if you have money and spare time to enjoy the sunshine."

Six years ago, she landed a job as a translator for a yacht club, and then became a commentator on yacht racing. She has also been involved in a program coaching 2,000 Chinese youths on yachting.

"A summer sailing camp costs around 2,000 yuan ($315) for a child, affordable for most middle- class families in China," she said.

Summer Song, the other Chinese woman in the shore team, was China's national champion sailor six years in a row and also Asian champion in 2005.

In 2002, she won gold at the Asian Games and was part of the Women's Chinese Olympic Team in 2008 in Qingdao.

Yachting is no longer a luxury pursuit for rich people in China, and has become popular with the growing affluence of middle-class families in recent years.

There are more than 300 yacht clubs in China, of which about 40 hold regular events. Some clubs have up to 300 members, according to China Team.

Stanley Mo, the marketing manager of A.C. China Team Holdings Ltd, said the country was riding on a wave of enthusiasm for yachting after Xu Lijia became the first Chinese to win an Olympic gold medal in yachting during the London Games.

"Chinese people will now know more about sailing and yachting, and more Chinese teenagers will start to learn," he said.

Mo said the wind had caught the sails of the yachting scene in China within the past year or two, and it had taken off.

The Extreme 40 race event has signed a long-term contract with Qingdao government, Volvo racing has also come to China twice, and the America's Cup is also aiming to have a stopover in China, he said.

Although most people in yacht clubs are amateurs, he added, some were gaining valuable experience from being involved in such events.

The America's Cup attracts not only the world's top sailors and yacht designers but also the involvement of wealthy entrepreneurs and sponsors. It is a test not only of sailing skill and boat design, but also of fundraising and management skills.

"Because we were not familiar with sailing races and race management, we recruited a French team, all foreign sailors, for our previous America's Cup," Mo said.

"We have replaced the management team with Chinese, because they know the market better, and will bring more dynamism and vitality to it."

San Francisco's Mayor Edwin Lee said in a letter to China Team owner Wang Chaoyong: "The addition of Team China to the roster of San Francisco competitors will only further expand interest in the America's Cup and strengthen our cultural and economic ties to the burgeoning Pacific Rim."

Other teams competing for the America's Cup in San Francisco from Thursday to Sunday come from the United States, Sweden, Italy, Britain, New Zealand, France and South Korea.

chenjia@chinadailyusa.com