First even podium for Qingdao - Media

First even podium for Qingdao

16 December 2007

Fremantle, Western Australia

Qingdao celebrated their first ever podium position in their two race history by being third across the finish line into Fremantle at 0531 local time (2031 UTC 15 December) at the end of the Southern Ocean leg of Clipper 07-08.

As one of the three boats that made the early decision to head quickly south, Qingdao held a steady position towards the front of the fleet for the majority of the race.  Unable to catch Durban 2010 and Beyond and then overtaken by westernaustralia2011.com a couple of days before the finish the Chinese team were still ecstatic to achieve their first podium position of the race.

“There were three of us that went the furthest south,” explained skipper Marcus Cholerton-Brown.  “Those same three boats are the first three into Fremantle and it was a great race.  The pressure was on us at the end with Hull & Humber breathing down our necks and we were worried that their 50-minute redress might come into play.  However, I think we were comfortably clear of them in the end and can now relax and celebrate our third place.”

Marcus and his team arrived at Fremantle Sailing Club and opened a bottle of champagne that was presented to them in Liverpool by the Clipper 05-06 Qingdao crew to celebrate their first podium position.

The race across the Southern Ocean did not deliver the strong surfing conditions that the teams were expecting due to a lack of the prevailing winds and big seas that the region south of 40 degrees is renowned for.  However, relatively strong winds and an area of high pressure which flattened the seas ahead of the boats allowed for consistently high 24-hour runs and enabled the Chinese entry to make excellent progress across the infamous stretch of water.

The crew of Qingdao will spend the next couple of days cleaning and carrying out maintenance on the boat, which will be berthed at Fremantle Sailing Club for the duration of the stopover.  During this time the entire fleet will be lifted for a routine service and inspection of their hulls, keels, props anodes and rudders.

Race Director, Joff Bailey, explained the reason for choosing the Fremantle stopover as the port to lift the boats. “The lifting of the boats at this stage is a standard procedure and takes place once during every Clipper Race.  We chose the Australian stopover due to the excellent facilities at Fremantle Sailing Club.  It also gives the crew a longer stopover for Christmas and provides them with the opportunity to explore the wonderful sites of Western Australia.”

The Western Australian Tourism Minister Sheila McHale welcomed the skippers and crews to WA for the two-week festive season stopover. “I know all Western Australians will join me in extending a warm welcome to the 200 international crew members, their families and friends,” Ms McHale said. “I can only be in awe at the skills and tenacity required to take part in such an amazing ten month adventure.”

The Race 5 restart of the Clipper 07-08 Race will take place at 1400 local time (0500 GMT) on New Year’s Day 2008.  An exciting race start course through Fremantle’s Inner Harbour and along Perth’s city beaches will make it a wonderful spectator event and promises to attract thousands of people down to watch as the ten teams continue on their 35,000-mile race around the world.

The Clipper Race is the only round the world yacht race for non-professional sailors.  Clipper Ventures is currently recruiting for the next edition of the Race, Clipper 09-10.  For more information on becoming a crew member contact Crew Recruitment Manager David Cusworth on +44 (0) 7884 490645 or email .

NOTES FOR EDITORS

For media information contact: 

Zoe Williamson, Communications Coordinator
Email:
Mobile in Fremantle: +61 (0) 432 523 815

Anna Wardley, Head of Communications
Email:
Mobile in Fremantle: +61 (0) 423 915 128

High-resolution Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race images including shots of Durban 2010 and Beyond arriving in Fremantle are available for free media use at:
http://www.w-w-i.com/clipper_0708_race/

For the latest race news, blogs, images and video clips log on to http://www.clipperroundtheworld.com