Qingdao

Qingdao is skippered by UK-based Gareth Glover, an experienced sailor and Yachtmaster and watersports instructor. After helming New York to sixth place in the 2011-12 edition of the Clipper Race, his experience paid dividends with a third place in Leg 1 of the race, which took the 12-boat fleet from UK to Brest in France – a distance of 400 nautical miles. Qingdao is looking in form, with a fourth place in the long 5000 nautical mile Leg 2.

The Clipper fleet will have plenty of sea miles under their hulls by the time they reach Sydney for the start of the Rolex Sydney Hobart, having raced roughly 15,200 nautical miles to reach Sydney.

Crew member Vicky Song will be the first Chinese woman to sail all the way around the world when she completes the Clipper Race circumnavigation in July 2014. There are also 10 other Chinese people on board the yacht sponsored by the Qingdao Yachting Association. It is QYA’s fifth Clipper Race; the aim is to make Qingdao a global sailing city and produce more champions since hosting sailing at the 2008 Olympic Games.

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