Qingdao lays on lavish welcome ceremony for Clipper yachts - Media

Qingdao lays on lavish welcome ceremony for Clipper yachts

15 February 2008

The first three yachts to finish the gruelling race from Singapore to Qingdao in the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race arrived in the Olympic Sailing Centre on Friday to a spectacular Chinese welcome. The teams were escorted from their yachts along a red carpet to be welcomed by an array of local dignitaries including Madam Zang, Executive Chairwoman of the Qingdao Olympic Sailing Committee, and Clipper Chairman, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston.

Duggie Gillespie and the New York crew arrived victorious into Qingdao after scoring their second consecutive win. In total the New York team has now won three races, provisionally putting them in joint fourth pace with Liverpool 08 on the overall results table.

Arriving in Qingdao, Duggie said, “The welcome here has been incredibly warm. It has been such a difficult race but this reception has made it all worthwhile. It feels like we have won the sailing Olympics and it’s just great to be here. We have heard so much about China and we are all looking forward to having a look around and enjoying your hospitality.”

Each of the skippers was presented with a Chinese velvet embroidered cape, traditionally worn by Chinese Emperors, and each crew member received a bouquet of fresh flowers before they were escorted to a giant stage for the lavish welcoming ceremony.

After being escorted past hundreds of drummers, tai chi dancers and Olympic mascots, the weary but elated crews climbed onto the stage in front of thousands of onlookers as the sky lit up with fireworks. Madam Zang, Executive Chairwoman of the Qingdao Olympic Sailing Committee, told the crews, “Today the famous Clipper fleet and its crews came once again to China to the sailing city of Qingdao. Your arrival brings great joy to Qingdao’s spring festival celebrations in our Olympic year.

“In 2006, the first visit of the Clipper fleet brought Qingdao citizens closer to sailing sports. I hope this visit will improve Qingdao’s interest in sailing sports further ahead of the Olympics later this year.”

Around a hundred Chinese media representatives flocked to the Olympic Sailing Centre to cover the arrival of the first Clipper boats and jostled to interview the first three skippers. Later this year the Olympic Sailing Centre, where the Clipper fleet will be berthed during the Qingdao stopover, will be the venue for the sailing events in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

It is the second time the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race has visited Qingdao and also the second time that the Olympic Sailing City has sponsored an entry in the event. The Qingdao yacht, skippered by Marcus Cholerton-Brown, is expected to arrive in Qingdao on Sunday morning.

ENDS