DKU Saling Team – From left to right:
Shu Wu ‘25, Charles Liu ‘27, Davit Kavkasyan ‘27, Natalie Aramendia ‘25, Coach Zarko Krkeljas
In late November, Taihu Lake becomes a canvas of autumn splendor, with crisp breezes and golden ripples shimmering across its surface. Against this backdrop, the DKU Sailing Club ventured to Taihu Lake to compete in the 7th Suzhou Sailing League – Round 4 and successfully completed the 5 races leaving Shanghai Jiaotong University behind, marking a perfect conclusion to their first half of AY24-25 season.
DKU Saling Club Sails on Taihu Lake Suzhou Bay with city’s skyline behind
This competition attracted several outstanding teams from across the Yangtze River Delta, including teams from Shanghai Jiaotong University. As a benchmark for local sports events, the Suzhou Sailing League has leveraged natural resources like Taihu Lake and Suzhou Bay to deliver a series of high-quality competitive and experiential activities for 7 years.
For DKU’s Sailing Club, this event was also an opportunity to deeply integrate the university’s sports culture with the broader cultural landscapes of Suzhou and Kunshan. Sailing, which emphasizes teamwork, communication, and adapting to nature’s challenges, aligns perfectly with DKU’s values of diversity and collaboration. Throughout the competition, the team not only honed their technical skills but also learned to harness the power of teamwork to navigate challenges, truly experiencing the essence of sailing.
In 2024, the club made remarkable strides in both technical skills and team cohesion. Weekly rigorous training sessions at Taihu Lake since the beginning of the year have helped members gradually grasp the essence of sailing and improve the team coordination. Serving as the season finale, this race not only tested the members’ skills and mindset but also reflected Duke Kunshan University’s commitment to promoting diversity in sports and expanding student interests.
With the second half of the season ahead of them, the DKU Sailing Club is looking to the future with renewed ambition. As members reflected, “Success in sailing is not about the fastest start but about continuous adjustment and progress—a philosophy that mirrors the club’s own journey.” The DKU Sailing Club warmly invites all students and faculty interested in this unique sport to join us in exploring the art of sailing. Together, let’s navigate the winds and waves, embracing the challenges and beauty of the open water.
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