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Taiwan-Japan sailing competition resumes for cross-border exchanges between NSYSU and Osaka University

2024-10-29

After a six-year hiatus, the "3rd Taiwan-Japan Friendly Sailing Competition" successfully concluded, marking the first resumed overseas sailing exchange activities between National Sun Yat-sen University (NSYSU) and Osaka University in Japan after the interruption of the pandemic. The delegation was led by NSYSU's Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Kai-Yang Lo and Coach Jui-Yang Tsai, guiding ten students from the windsurfing club and the varsity sailing team to the Osaka University Yacht Club for training and competitions at the Shin Nishinomiya Yacht Harbor of Hyogo Prefecture in Japan, marking an international exchange lasting eight days and seven nights.

Osaka University, one of the top 100 universities in the world, established a Yacht Club with a 90-year history. During their visit, the NSYSU team joined joint training sessions at Osaka University's sailing facility in Shin Nishinomiya Yacht Harbor. Besides routine physical training, sailing lectures, and boat handling practice, the main focus was learning to operate the 470 and Snipe sailboats, both commonly used in Japanese universities. Since these are two-person sailboats with a helmsman and crewmate, teamwork and coordination were more challenging than the single-handed sailboats commonly used in Taiwan. This exchange allowed sailors from both universities to refine their skills while gaining cultural insights through local experiences, food, and activities. The team also visited Osaka University's Experimental Towing Tank, broadening their international horizons and forging a unique Taiwan-Japan intercollegiate bond.

The competitions on the last day were the highlight of the trip. Both teams jointly confirmed and agreed on the competition format and rules and devised their tactics. In five competitions, the team that won three would emerge victorious. Every voyage was fiercely contested, with NSYSU demonstrating strong tactical execution, particularly in the early part of the second voyage. They used one boat to pin down the opponent, allowing another to swiftly round the windward mark, and exchanged back and forth, successfully keeping the Osaka University team at bay, which was quite exciting. One of the exchange team members, NSYSU student Yen-Yun Weng from the Department of Photonics in 115, shared that the key to winning lies in the sailors' ability to adapt on the spot. Heeyeo Kim from the Department of Marine Environment and Engineering in 113 noted the intense competition, with both teams expertly using positioning and blocking tactics. Even seemingly lagging boats secretly employed strategic positioning, making it difficult to predict the winner until the end. Both teams showcased top-tier sailing skills and teamwork spirit. Osaka University ultimately secured three victories, winning the exchange competition.

Hsing-Kuan Hsu from the Department of Oceanography in 116 remarked that the sea connects every piece of land in the world, and perhaps being on the ocean made the participants feel closer to each other. He felt the exchange was fulfilling, adding, "Sailing has this magical power that brings all sailors together." U-Yi Chen from the Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources in 114 noted that sailing with the Osaka University team was a rare and fortunate experience, especially after traveling a long distance from Taiwan to Japan and meeting like-minded partners working towards a common goal. Reflecting on the strong Taiwan-Japan friendship, the Kansai Yacht Club representative at the farewell party presented each NSYSU team member with personalized sailing caps embroidered with their names as a commemoration, a unique, thoughtful, and meaningful gesture. With reluctance to part, both teams agreed to meet again next year when NSYSU will host the Osaka University Yacht Club at Sizihwan Bay for another round of competition and exchange.
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