| China. Asian Record Circuit: Shanghai surprise for Ellen MacArthur and her crew |
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| Tuesday, 11 April 2006 | |
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Team Ellen: Over three weeks into the Asian Record Circuit, B&Q secure record number 5 as they reach China’s largest city, Shanghai as the trimaran crossed the finish line at 22:30:34 GMT today [Monday, 10.4.06] in a time 1d 5h 25m 33s to finish Leg 4 out of 10 on the Asian Record Circuit. A welcome surprise for Ellen and her crew as they beat their self-imposed target time of 32 hours by 2 hours and 35 minutes– a feat that was looking doubtful mid-way through this leg as the wind practically disappeared, but a fast finish delivered the result they were looking for. B&Q will be guided by a pilot boat, 55 miles along the Yangtze River – the world’s third longest river at 3,720 miles. Shanghai, China’s largest city, on the east coast of mainland China has a population of over 15 million and was the first port opened to Western trade. New records established so far: 1. Yokohama-Jeju Island 5d 11h 10m 51s (906nm) 2. Jeju Island-Dalian 1d 15h 57m 28s (418nm) 3. The Manchu Record (Yokoham - Dalian) 7d 3h 18m 19s (1324nm) 4. The Marco Polo Record (Dalian – Qingdao) 1d 0h 2m 53s (265nm) 5. The Cotton Record (Qingdao – Shanghai) 1d 5h 25m 33s (308nm) They crossed the start line off Qingdao, China’s 2008 Olympic sailing venue, on Sunday [9.4.06] at 17:05:01 GMT in heavy fog and 29 hours 25 minutes and 33 seconds later crossed the finish line off Shanghai, to establish their fifth record of the Asian Record Circuit. Halfway through this 308-mile leg, MacArthur and her crew were wondering if they were going to beat their benchmark time of 32 hours [target revised 24hrs before departure] as the wind decreased to only 5 knots. But at 22:30:34 GMT today [Monday, 10 April], B&Q crossed the finish line and The Cotton Record was secured – so called in recognition of the notorious cotton textile industry that was built up during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) - taking 2 hours and 35 minutes off their benchmark time. One of the key objectives of the Asian Record Circuit is to establish a number of record times between key Asian ports for sailing projects to challenge in the future. MacArthur started the Asian Record Circuit from Japan on 25th March and the eight-week tour will finish in mid-May in Singapore. Ellen maybe one of the world’s best-known sailors as the current solo record holder for the fastest solo circumnavigation of the globe, but in China few have ever heard of Ellen or her record breaking trimaran, in a country where sailing is still in its infancy. But with Beijing hosting the 29th Olympic Games in 2008 and Qingdao, the previous stopover port for Ellen and her team, hosting the sailing events, the sport is gathering recognition. During her stopover in Qingdao, future sailing medal hopefuls demonstrated their sailing skills to the team, as they raced Optimist dinghies around the Olympic Marina. The reception for Ellen and the team in China has been enthusiastic: “Everyone we meet wants to shake your hand, get a photo, an autograph – the response has been more enthusiastic than I expected,” said Ellen. “Everyone is smiling and very welcoming – the kids we met in Qingdao were very motivated and there was not much we could really teach them that they hadn’t already mastered!” Ellen was honoured by the city and awarded ambassadorial status by the city mayor, Xia Geng. Now in Shanghai, the full impact of China’s growing economy and prosperity will be felt by Ellen and the team, with a city landscape to rival Manhattan – whether they make a similar impact in this bustling city, we will have to wait and see. Shanghai, home to over 15 million people [out of a total population of 1.3 billion], is China’s largest city with the largest port and industrial base, and significantly the financial centre of China. It was the first mainland Chinese port opened to Western trade in 1843. The local government is taking many steps to encourage the activity of sailing including the construction of a new marina by 2010, when it will host the Yachting World Expo. |
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