Clipper 07-08 bids farewell to Asia after successful stopover in the Olympic Sailing City of Qingdao - Media

Clipper 07-08 bids farewell to Asia after successful stopover in the Olympic Sailing City of Qingdao

24 February 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Olympic Sailing Centre, Qingdao, China

At 1530 local time (0730 GMT) on Sunday a horn sounded across Fuschan Bay, Qingdao, signalling the start of Race 7 of the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race to Hawaii. The race restart marked the end of a successful stopover in Qingdao’s Olympic Sailing Centre, which acted as a dress rehearsal for the sailing events of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

The ten-strong international fleet crossed the start line in approximately ten knots of breeze from the south west, flying their Yankee One headsails at the start of the 4,400-mile race across the Pacific from China to Hawaii. Hull & Humber managed to sneak across the line first followed by Liverpool 08, the only boat that approached the line on a port tack. Tens of thousands of spectators lined the city’s waterfront to watch the send-off after a week-long visit that has generated unprecedented media attention. During the stopover 80,000 Qingdao citizens visited the marina to view the yachts and many of them returned to see the fleet set sail on Sunday. In sub-zero temperatures, the ten teams tacked up to the first mark in front of the Chinese sailing city’s breakwater, which was crammed with local residents. The home boat, Qingdao, managed to thrill the crowds by taking the lead as they headed off towards the island of Chaolian Dao to the east of Qingdao.

Prior to the race restart the skippers of the ten teams competing in Clipper 07-08 were invited to attend a special farewell ceremony at the Olympic Sailing Centre.  Cloaked in the red velvet capes they received when they arrived, the skippers were led to a large stage flanked by hundreds of Chinese ceremonial drummers and lion dancers. Amongst the Chinese dignitaries attending the ceremony was the Mayor of Qingdao, Mr Xia Geng, who wished them luck on the forthcoming race:

“Today the Clipper fleet sets sail to Hawaii. On behalf of the Qingdao Municipal Government and the Qingdao people, I would like to extend my best wishes to the entire fleet and all onboard. 

“Your arrival here has enhanced the festive atmosphere of this Olympic city and enabled our citizens to feel once again the extraordinary charm of this world-renowned sailing event. Qingdao is willing to be a host port for future Clipper Races and I sincerely wish all the sailors good health.”

Each skipper was presented with a specially designed team banner before they paraded under the Arch of Triumph and down to their boats. Skipper of the homeport team Marcus Cholerton-Brown said:

“From what we have experienced here in Qingdao the city is well set up for the Olympics. They have used the Clipper Race as a dress rehearsal and everything has run incredibly smoothly. It promises to be a fantastic event this summer which I look forward to attending.”

Following an extremely close and challenging upwind race from Singapore to Qingdao, the next stage of the race to Hawaii is expected to deliver some strong downwind conditions. Race 7 is the longest race of the Clipper 07-08 and promises to deliver some exciting racing as Clipper Chairman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston explains:

“The next leg across the Pacific is a first for the Clipper Race. We have visited Hawaii before but not from China. The route provides an interesting challenge tactically and we will watch with interest how the skippers and crews handle this one. The overall leader board is very close at the top and there is everything to strive for.”

The fleet’s stopover in Qingdao marks the second time the Clipper Race has visited the city, giving the Olympic Sailing Committee further experience in hosting large-scale sailing events ahead of organising the sailing events of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. 

In order to give something back to Qingdao, Clipper crew members donated their loose change in local currency to the China Yachting Association to promote sailing for disadvantaged children in the city. Round the world crew member on Qingdao, Gary Jessop who lives in Hong Kong, handed over a donation of 1640 yuan (230 US$) to Wang Baoqui, Chairman of the China Yachting Association before the fleet set sail.

Speaking at a press conference where he handed over the donation, Gary said: “We’ve all had a fantastic time in Qingdao and this is our chance to give something back by helping to promote sailing to the children of this beautiful city.”

Wang Baqui said: “Thank you to all the Clipper crews for helping the children of Qingdao. We will use this money to help to involve more children in sailing.”

Berths are now available for the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race. For more information or to apply, contact +44 (0) 2392 526000 or email .

ENDS