Rowers get ready for the Head of Grand Canal Regatta held in Yangzhou, Jiangsu province on July 3. [Photo/eastday.com]
The 3rd Head of Grand Canal Regatta kicked off in Yangzhou, East China's Jiangsu province, on July 3.
The event attracted rowing teams from nine universities across the globe, including the University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Tokyo, University of Otago and Nanjing University.
The Otago team finished the six-kilometer course in 21:03 minutes, with their competitors from Harvard and Oxford following closely behind.
The team from the University of Tokyo competes in the Head of Grand Canal Regatta held in Yangzhou, Jiangsu province on July 3. [Photo/eastday.com]
The event was a reflection of Yangzhou's efforts to increase its international profile and an important milestone in the development of the city's sports, education and cultural industries, Yu Ting, deputy mayor of Yangzhou, said in his opening speech.
"I like Yangzhou a lot. I bought several souvenirs on Dongguan Street to take back to my friends," said a participant from Oxford.
In addition, the organizer also provided an opportunity for locals to talk face-to-face with the students from world leading universities.
