Fareast 28R Powers the WMRT Shenzhen Grand Final

The World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) Shenzhen Bao’an Grand Final wrapped up successfully on December 17.

Twelve world-class match racing skippers led their crews to compete fiercely over five racing days. In the end, Team China Ningbo One helmed by Ian Williams claimed the championship title. This marked Team Ningbo One’s second WMRT Grand Final victory after a four-year gap, while Ian Williams secured his seventh individual WMRT world championship trophy, breaking his own previous record.

Back in 2021, the Fareast 28R was officially designated as the official competition yacht for the Shenzhen Bao’an Grand Final by WMRT. Bringing this elite global tournament to China meant equipping the world’s top sailors with premium Chinese-built race boats and showcasing a leading Chinese marine brand to audiences worldwide—and the moment finally arrived. As the first World Sailing-recognized international one-design yacht developed in China and across Asia, the Fareast 28R fully demonstrated all the hallmarks of a premier racing yacht during this year’s WMRT Shenzhen Grand Final.

1. Superior Build Quality

A flagship model in the Fareast fleet, the Fareast 28R features a hull crafted from advanced fiberglass composite materials with a foam core and vacuum infusion resin technology. Cutting-edge manufacturing techniques deliver a lightweight yet ultra-tough hull.

All units are uniformly fitted with masts from renowned international brand Seldon and HARKEN winch systems. Standardized hardware across every boat guarantees a level playing field and complete competition fairness.

The final two days of the Grand Final saw strong winds averaging 15 to 22 knots, forcing crews into frequent tacks and placing extreme stress on all onboard equipment. As a fully certified World Sailing one-design class yacht, the Fareast 28R proved fully capable of withstanding the gruelling demands of top-tier match racing.

2. Outstanding Racing Performance

Nearly all twelve elite international skippers at the WMRT have sailed the Fareast 28R, and they share one unanimous verdict: this boat is blisteringly fast. Its speed is breathtaking in heavy breeze, built purely for competitive racing.

3. Comprehensive After-Sales Support

Fareast ranks among the most influential brands in the global sailing industry, and its after-sales service matches its stellar reputation.

Attaching great importance to this landmark home-grown international regatta, Fareast dispatched a full-service technical team to the venue well in advance, fully stocked with repair tools, spare hull parts and all necessary supplies to deliver round-the-clock technical support. The team spared no manpower, resources or time to ensure seamless tournament operations, sending a clear message: choosing Fareast means choosing reliable, robust after-sales backup.

Additionally at the Shenzhen Grand Final, Megan Thomson made history aboard the Fareast 28R as the first female skipper ever to stand on the WMRT Grand Final podium.

This was Megan’s second trip to China. Back in 2019, she claimed victory at China’s International Women’s Match Racing Championship, where the Fareast 28R also served as the official one-design race boat. Returning to Bao’an, Shenzhen, she once again sailed the Fareast 28R to achieve the best-ever result by a female skipper at the WMRT Grand Final. After the races, she joked, “The Fareast 28R really brings me luck, and I hope to race on this boat again next time.” Her groundbreaking achievement will inspire countless more female sailors to take up the sport.

The regatta drew massive crowds of local spectators, offering residents a chance to learn the fundamentals of sailing and match racing with hands-on exposure to the sport. The event has effectively boosted the growth of sailing in Shenzhen and throughout China. Looking ahead, we believe WMRT circuits will feature not only China’s Fareast 28R, but also home-grown Chinese skippers competing on the world stage.