Ride on global tide to continue
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(Left): Zang Aimin, vice-mayor of Qingdao, and William Ward, Clipper Ventures CEO, at a signing ceremony in February in Qingdao that ensures future races. Ju Chuanjiang (Right): Qingdao salutes boats and readies for more races. Ju Chuanjiang |
QINGDAO: The government of Qingdao has signed an agreement with Clipper Ventures Plc from the United Kingdom to continue to be a stop on Clipper's around the world yacht races, two of which will call on the port city from 2009-2012.
After successfully participating in the 2007-2008 Clipper race, Qingdao will continue to be the only Chinese stopover for the competition over the next four years. According to the agreement, Qingdao will also establish a Clipper training center and for each stop at least two Chinese crew members will participate in the race.
Boats in the race represent cities or regions. The 10 yachts in last year's race represented Durban, Glasgow, Hull and Humber, Jamaica, Liverpool,New York, Nova Scotia, Qingdao, Singapore and Western Australia.
"We have signed a letter of intent to have further cooperation with Qingdao for at least the next two races," said Clipper Ventures CEO William Ward at a news conference at the Olympic Sailing Center on February 25.
"To have this ongoing association with the city is a great honor for Clipper Ventures. And we also expect more Chinese crews and skippers will participate."
"It's good news that we can sign a four-year agreement with Clipper," said Zang Aimin, Qingdao vice-mayor and executive chairperson of the Qingdao Olympic Sailing Committee.
"We look forward to further cooperation with Clipper Ventures, not only by competing in the race, but also through strengthening economic and cultural exchanges with other cities.
"Once participants could only be trained in Britain, but now Qingdao will also become a training site, so more crews will be recruited from across the country."
She added that it is her hope that more enterprises will sponsor and assist participants to compete in the race.
Zang said the agreement takes the cooperation to a new level, with additional events providing locals more opportunities to take part in the race. Popularizing the charm of the city and enhancing cooperation with other ports will be a continuing goal for Qingdao in the future.
More international sailing regattas are now planned following the Olympic Games. Qingdao will also serve as the only Chinese stopover of the 2008-09 Volvo Ocean Race.
(China Daily 03/05/2008 page24)
