SHENZHEN, May 17 -- CHINA’S first international sailing competition — modeled on the world-famous America’s Cup — will be held annually in Shenzhen each October, the city’s sports bureau announced Tuesday.

Co-organized by national and local sports authorities, the inaugural three-day China Cup International Regatta (CCIR) is scheduled to be held in the city’s Daya Bay between Oct. 19 and 21.

Zhong Yong, a spokesman for the competition, said the event is intended to fill the country’s gap in sailing competitions.

“China and Asia at large lack an influential sailing event on the scale of the prestigious America’s Cup, which is broadcast to 2.9 billion people in some 200 countries. The 2007 China Cup will be an event of the same standard.”

The China Cup is also regarded as a dress-rehearsal for the 26th Universiade to be held in Shenzhen in 2011.

Domestic sailing clubs and dozens of overseas competitors, including those from Australia, Brazil, Britain, France, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and the United States, will be invited.

Zhong expects more than 100 yachts to compete in the event. He said some 200 to 300 million yuan (US$26 to 39 million) would be invested over the next three years, which will include a training center for young sailors.

The organizing committee has also bought 10 40.7m yachts from French yacht-maker Beneteau, which will compete in the event, he said.

The competition is open to domestic and overseas sailing enthusiasts, and candidates can submit applications online at www.chncup.com, or contact 8835-3518 for more information.