Waving the flag for China - 30 June 2009
Eight crew members from Qingdao have been bestowed with the honour of representing their city in the Clipper 09-10 Race.
The Chinese crew, comprising of seven individual leggers and one round the worlder, have been selected through a tough and varied competition organised by the Qingdao Sports Federation, the sponsors behind the Chinese entry in Clipper 09-10.
More than 100 people from the city entered the competition which was promoted in local press and online. From these, 15 were invited down to the International Sailing Centre to take part in a Part A training course as part of the selection process.
Clipper’s Head of Training James Allen and Qingdao’s skipper Chris Stanmore-Major flew out to the Chinese sailing city to run the courses on two Jeanneau 42s.
Chris says, “This was my first visit to our home port and I’ve received a fabulous welcome from everyone. It has been wonderful to be involved in selecting the Chinese crew and I look forward to seeing them again when they come over to the UK for the rest of their training.”
Following seven days of sail training all 15 made it through to the final selection process, a live television competition broadcast on QTV, designed to whittle them down to eight crew and two reserves. Crew Recruitment Manager, David Cusworth, became the Chinese equivalent to Simon Cowell when he was asked to join the selection panel as a judge.
“I was extremely honoured to be invited to assist with judging the competition,” says David. “The competitors were asked to do a number of challenges ranging from knot tying and various fitness tests to singing the Breakfast at Tiffany’s theme song, Moon River, and seeing how many times they could bounce a football on their heads!
“It was a very enjoyable but hugely surreal experience and about as far removed from the interview selection process I’m used to. None-the-less we have chosen eight great characters whom, I’m sure, will do their city proud.”
The lucky winners are:
Mr Halyang Sun - Vice Executive, Shenyang City Association
Mr Jun Gao - Manager, Lennon Bar and Restaurant
Mr Lizhong Zhang - Staff member, Qingdao Sports Bureau
Ms Neng Zhang - Student, Ocean University of China
Mr Tongshi Ji - Manager, Jintong Computer Company
Ms Ying Yu – Student, Qingdao Middle School
Mr Zhinguo Qu – Journalist, Peninsula Metropolis News
Mr Yanzhi Zhang – Manager, Zianfeng Technological Development Corporation
The two reserve crew are:
Ms Hong Gao – Sales Manager, Tianjin Asia Pacific Jiayun Forwarding Corporation
Mr Feng Zhang, Staff member, Laibo Commercial Corporation.
The newly appointed crew, along with the two reserves, will fly to the UK this month to participate in Part B and C training courses.
Waving the flag for China
30 June 2009
Eight crew member from Qingdao have been bestowed with the honour of representing their city in the Clipper 09-10 Race.
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