The sailors are a bit of an oddity, even as the stars of the show. Their tanned, weather-beaten faces contrast with those of the pale, wealthy women strolling the docks, parasols in hand. Their shouted conversations are in French, Spanish, Italian and English, standing out from the Putonghua spoken all around them. They stride across the docks with purpose, hoisting sails to their shoulders and fetching tools. The onlookers stroll, shopping bags in hand, and watch the flurry of activity.
Last month's Volvo Ocean Race stopover in Sanya, on Hainan Island, has been billed as the greatest sailing show the mainland has ever seen - with a promise of more to come. The sailors, and the brands that bought their skills, certainly hope the predictions are right. The mainland promises to not only save an expensive and exclusive sport from the ravages of the global financial crisis, but also to be a rare case in which people embrace the obscure sport for its spectacle alone.
While the sailors are most concerned with wind shifts, sail selection and sea state, they are not blind to the fact the mainland offers huge promise to their sport.
'With the number of people and the amount of money in China, and with everyone wanting to showcase to China, it's an ideal place to come,' says Chris Nicholson, skipper of Camper with Emirates Team New Zealand (it's a bit of a mouthful, but that's the official name of his team - and an example of the importance of sponsors to the sport; Camper and Emirates are brand names). Nicholson is also a two-time Olympian.
The Volvo Ocean Race is an around-the-world competition between the fastest 70-foot mono-hull yachts in the world. The current edition is stopping in 10 host cities on five continents and covering more than 39,000 nautical miles across four oceans over eight months. Each boat is crewed by 10 world-class sailors, making the event the very pinnacle of professional sailing.
The race has traditionally taken a southerly route around the world, stopping in yachting heartlands such as South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Brazil. Although its 38-year history may be hallowed and studded with memorable moments for sailing aficionados, it has remained in obscurity in global sporting terms. However, the boats are becoming more expensive - averaging about Euro4.5 million (HK$45.6 million) each this race - and the sponsors are no longer satisfied with having their name emblazoned on a yacht that is pounding its way through the Southern Ocean, unseen by many. Add to that the economic decline of Europe, which has long been the engine of yachting, and the stage has been set for a major overhaul.
'The main drive for these teams is still coming from Europe. The money may come from somewhere else but the guys that drive it through in their home turf, they start in Europe,' says Norwegian Knut Frostad, chief executive of the Volvo Ocean Race, explaining why the financial crisis has hit the sport as hard as it has in recent years.