Shanghai-based architect and boater Dirk Weiblen traveled to Dubai this month to sail the Puma Moth World Championships. No one in China ever competed at that level before, Shanghai Boat and Yacht Club member Helen Ruud said.

Three weeks ago, Weiblen packed his bags and his boat and flew to Dubai to compete against the professionals. There were 15 races between March 8 and 14. Weiblen said he came in not last, but nearly last.

"I went there to learn from the good guys," Weiblen said.

Hey, we're just happy to see Shanghai represented.

Weiblen, 40, has been sailing since he was six. But he's new to the international moth class - the fastest class of sailing dinghy. He bought his boat in November, 2009.

"It's so specific, it's like a Formula One car." Weiblen said. "It's extremely exciting."

Just getting the boat to Dubai proved exciting as well: Though he made luggage arrangements ahead of time, Weiblen's boat was too big for airport cargo elevators. Weiblen said he didn't know how they managed, but - as you can see below - the boat did make it back to Shanghai.

Following the excitement of the Olympics last summer when China won her first gold in a sailing event, the much loved sport of sailing is attracting much media attention and rapidly developing in China. The Shanghai Boat & Yacht Club (SBYC) is a non-profit grass roots organization that is leading the way in bringing together people of all origins and backgrounds to share a common interest. Both those who have already developed a love of sailing and those who just want to try for the first time are congregating at SBYC’s stunning new location just 30 minutes drive from the crowded city.

Until earlier this year, SBYC based its activities at the Shanghai Water Sports Centre on Dianshan Lake in Qingpu District, which was built in 1983 to provide facilities for China’s Olympic rowing hopefuls who could no longer practice on the Huangpu for fear of being run down by heavy commercial traffic. In April this year, it moved to site of the Shanghai Yacht Club at Grand View Gardens, on the West end of the lake, conveniently close to the A9 Expressway and houses a Swiss run restaurant serving home-style grub and ice cold beer.