| China. Clipper Round the World Race looks back at Qingdao |
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| Monday, 17 April 2006 | |
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Colin de Mowbray MBE: The recent visit by the Clipper race Fleet to Qingdao was significant in many ways. Although two of the previous Clipper races have visited Shanghai this has always been on a basis where the arrangements were made by our agents and contact with Chinese authorities was mainly limited to burocratic issues. This time in Qingdao it was very different as we were hosted by the Olympic Sailing Committee which acted as a direct link with the City and, most importantly, the Mayor and Vice Mayor. This was an important visit for both Clipper and the City and now that it is complete we can look back and see just how much effort the City put behind it to ensure its success. China is not a sailing nation and therefore has an immense task in preparing for the sailing Olympics in 2008. To achieve this they will have to address both the physical aspects of the venue and also gain experience in staging and managing the events at a top international standard. Clipper 05-06 was their first major test and it was important to learn from it and also demonstrate what they can do. The physical aspects are easier to address, partly because they are tangible and partly because I am convinced that they will be excellent. The plans are well ahead of schedule and will be tested later this year during a rehearsal regatta. On my first visit to the Olympic harbour in November 2005 I was shown a building site and greeted by Ms Cong Jinsong, the attractive Project Manager with a clip board and a charming smile. ‘Colin, I have a plan. Do not worry.’ We had always accepted the main site would still be under construction but our temporary facilities were more than acceptable and reflected a tremendous effort by all those involved. Above all, and for the first time in our ten years of experience in China, we had safe and proper berthing for the yachts. Having motored 90 odd miles up the Yangtze and Huang Po rivers to Shanghai in 1997, I can personally appreciate the direct access between the Olympic Sailing Harbour and the open sea. The Skippers and crews who experienced their ‘noctus horribilis’ drifting through fishing fleets, buoys and nets on the run up to the finish in Qingdao may not agree; they will if they ever go to Shanghai! Turning to the human aspects of mounting major regattas, this comes down to both the structure of the organisation and the experience of the people involved. The Sailing Committee has recruited an impressive staff that includes a large number of very talented and young graduates, many with international experience gathered from studying in universities aboard. I found everyone keen to learn, and above all, receptive to advice. Although it will be a difficult way ahead over the next two years for both the Qingdao Olympic Sailing Committee and the masses of visiting officials, I believe the organisation will cope and stage a great regatta. The discussions and fears over the wind strengths in August, when the Olympics will be sailed, will continue and I sincerely hope for everyone’s sake that these turn out to be unfounded. Some things however are certain; the facilities will be second to none, the Qingdao Sailing Committee will give their all and the city of Qingdao will be perfect hosts. For interest I have added extracts of my letter to the Mayor of Qingdao which was written to thank the City on behalf of everyone involved in the Clipper Race visit. Dear Mayor Xia Geng, I am writing to you on behalf of Clipper Ventures and all the crew members who have been involved in the Clipper Race and the visit to Qingdao. You, your City and the Sailing Committee have show us all great hospitality, generosity and kindness throughout our brief time in the city. Very few of those involved in the Clipper Race had visited China before and hardly any had been to Qingdao. I am sure you could see from everyone’s reaction when the yachts left on Saturday that you had won everyone’s hearts. From the moment the yachts were greeted on arrival with a celebration of music and pageantry it was clear to all what a tremendous effort had gone into all the preparations. The Prize Giving Ceremony and Welcome Banquet was an evening everyone will always remember. The speeches, the entertainment and the food could not have been better and the atmosphere was one of friendship and promise. The climax of the visit was the send off and the crew members were honoured by the scale of the event that you had arranged and they enjoyed every minute of it! The ceremony was spectacular and a real triumph for the City and the Sailing Committee. The Clipper visit has been a major landmark for the Sailing City so please accept my sincere thanks to you, and to Vice Mayor Ms Zang Aimin for making it such a success. I would also be grateful if you could pass on my thanks to all the members of the Sailing Committee who were the perfect hosts. On behalf of all at Clipper Ventures and all the Crew members, to you and all Qingdao; a very big, and genuine, Thank You. Yours sincerely Colin de Mowbray MBE Operations Director, Clipper Ventures www.clipper-ventures.com |
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| Last Updated ( Monday, 17 April 2006 ) |
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