The Qingdao International Regatta, the first test event for the 2008 Olympic Regatta, closed with accolades on Thursday.

After a fortnight, the regatta concluded with a closing ceremony in the Media Center.

David Kellett, vice president of International Sailing Federation, congratulated the Chinese team in a press conference for its outstanding performance in men's and women's RS:X as well as Yngling.

China won one gold medal, two silvers and two bronzes, among which Athens Olympic runner-up Yin Jian bagged a bronze in women's RS:X.

Kellett then added that during their debriefings, team leaders had given some constructive suggestions, which will definitely help the next test event in 2007 and the Olympic Regatta in 2008.

"The regatta runs smoothly and Qingdao people are very warm and friendly," he said. "The only minor thing we need to improve is the water management."

Sun Lijie, secretary general of Qingdao Sailing Committee, said: "Though the regatta has been completed, we can not give us a full score as the test event was aimed to find problems and solutions. We still have much more work to do."

He added: "Such as timing, standards and measures to handle emergencies, as well as setup of some working positions."

(Xinhua News Agency September 1, 2006)