The torch was relayed on the boat in the docks of Olympic sailing center for about 20 minutes and disembarked again from the slipway, where during sailing competition sailors push boats into the sea.

The torch relay, covering 14.5 kilometers and involving a total of 259 torchbearers, is the first leg of the sacred Olympic flame's tour in Shandong province.

Local people dance to welcome the Olympic torch in Qingdao, Shandong Province July 21.

At 11:20 a.m., the Olympic torch finished its tour in Olympic co-host city Qingdao

Xia Geng, mayor of Qingdao City and president of the sailing committee (Qingdao) of BOCOG lighted the cauldron as the last torchbearer.

Xia Geng lights the cauldron as the last torchbearer in Qingdao, Guangdong Province July 21.

It will leave Qingdao for Linyi, an old revolutionary base area, for the second leg in Shandong.

The Olympic sailing events are to start on August 9.

"Everything is now ready," said Yuan Zhiping, assistant to Qingdao sailing committee chief.

The torch relay in Qingdao, covering 14.5 kilometers and involving a total of 259 torchbearers, is the first leg of the Olympic flame's tour in Shandong province.

(Xinhua News Agency July 21, 2008)