 Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper, third in 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 Scottish team, along with New York and Durban 2010 and Beyond, first and second respectively, 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.
Hannah Jenner and the crew of Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper were jubilant as they arrived into Qingdao after scoring their fourth podium position of their Clipper 07-08 campaign and provisionally retaining one of the top spots on the overall leader board. As they made their way into Qingdao the crew braved the cold conditions by wearing their team kilts which, in some cases, were coupled with thermal leggings to help keep warm.
Speaking on the stage at the welcome ceremony, Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper’s skipper, Hannah Jenner, said, “What a welcome! Thank you very much! It is fantastic to be here after a very tough and cold leg. We’ve been very much looking forward to arriving here in your fantastic city. If it is anything like this amazing welcome, we’re going to have a fantastic time here.”
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 a 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, welcomed the only female skipper on the Clipper Race and her crew, saying, “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.”
Race Director Joff Bailey said, “This has been an incredibly tough race for all the teams and they will be relieved to have finally arrived in Qingdao. It has been the hardest race so far in Clipper 07-08 with relentless headwinds and freezing temperatures. It is one they will be telling their grandchildren about in years to come.”
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 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 of 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.
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 oceanracer@clipperroundtheworld.com.
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