​A standout stopover in Qingdao

The Qingdao stopover on the Clipper Race circuit is is quite simply legendary. The Qingdao Organising Committee had the vision and ambition to bring the Clipper Race to China for the first time in the 2005-06 edition, and since then, the partnership and stopover have grown exponentially.

The eighth visit to this city was nothing short of extraordinary, with China’s Sailing City putting on a spectacle coupled with culture and hospitality from the teams’ arrival through to fleet departure day. The stopover also provided the setting for growing and developing global business connections through a number of events.

Arrivals

Famed for providing the biggest arrival ceremony of the circumnavigation, the Sailing City did not disappoint. All eleven teams were welcomed to the city with spectacular fireworks shooting up past the iconic Olympic rings. With Qingdao’s impressive skyline as the backdrop, the teams were welcomed by the cheering crowds lining the pontoons. Once greeted by friends, family and officials from Qingdao and the Clipper Race, the crews paraded to the stage accompanied by dragon dancers and Chinese drumming and each team had a hero moment on stage to celebrate their success from Race 9. For the Qingdao team, sailing into their home port is nothing short of extraordinary, and made even sweeter by the team gracing the podium in third place; the team’s second podium of the circumnavigation so far and the first time claiming a podiuming into the home port.

Image: Qingdao team arrives into its home port

Prizegiving

A grand arrival can only be followed by one thing, a grand Prizegiving. Qingdao pulled out the stops by hosting the awards ceremony at the impressive International Conference Centre on the waterfront. The world-famous Tsingtao beer flowed, and teams enjoyed a buffet feast to celebrate. Featuring traditional and modern Chinese dance performances, speeches from delegates and gift exchanges before welcoming the podium-placed teams and Ocean Sprint winners Yacht Club Punta del Este to the stage to revel in their successes in a tough race from Zhuhai.

Image: Our Isles and Oceans crowned winners of Race 9 at Prizegiving

Diplomatic engagement

The Clipper Race platform provides opportunities for Partners, destinations and stakeholders to engage with embassies around the world, forging strong relationships across continents. The Qingdao stopover welcomed members of the British Embassy in Beijing, including HM Trade Commissioner Lewis Neale. The representatives welcomed in the fleet, witnessing the spectacular arrivals ceremony, as well as having an exclusive yacht tour on board UNICEF and discussions with Clipper Race Ambassador Crew on Qingdao and Our Isles and Oceans. In addition, delegates experienced a taste of life on board a Clipper 70 with a sail day on board Our Isles and Oceans.HM Trade Commissioner Lewis Neale said: “It was great to have a tour of the boat, see the priority that was put on safety and see that this is not a comfortable sailing adventure, this is a performance event across all the world’s oceans.

Image: HMTC Lewis Neal on board a sail day in Qingdao

“This partnership is a great success story. What you see here is both the length of the relationship that the Clipper Race has with Qingdao and in China. We’ve seen how the event has supported the development of sailing here in Qingdao here in particular, but also across China. It tells a story of British business here in China and the strength of the partnership between the two countries.”

Image: Lewis Neal with UNICEF Skipper and AQP

Clipper Connect

With a focus on trade and investment in skills and expertise, this event in the Clipper Connect Business Series drew a large crowd of almost 100 attendees including delegates from the British Embassy in Beijing, local businesses, international partners and leaders from the Qingdao Organising Committee and Clipper Ventures senior management.

The panel of speakers explored the importance of investing in the skills and knowledge of individuals and how they can be developed by utilising the expertise of different nations using the marine industry to illustrate this.

Following opening remarks on the CCBS by Clipper Ventures Managing Director, Laura Ayres, HM Trade Commissioner, Lewis Neale set the tone for the event, which took the form of a panel discussion. The discussion began around British education and training facilities, such as the RYA and the marine industry’s influence in China and the importance of legacy and relationships - something the Clipper Race and Qingdao partnership exemplifies.

Image: Clipper Connect

Clipper Ventures MD, Chris Rushton followed by highlighting the successes of working with the China Yachting Association and its role in developing Chinese sailing instructors, as well as the important relationship with Qingdao on the boat-building side.

Frankie Zheng, the round the world Qingdao Ambassador on the Clipper 2019-20 Race provided a fantastic case study of the success of an ambassador programme, and utilising British sailing expertise to develop a career in the sport. Jason Li, Head of Sports at the FCDO in China wrapped up the event, with the topic of how the British Embassy supported sports development in China through infrastructure, services and events.

Managing Director at Clipper Ventures Chris Rushton said: “This Clipper Connect Business Series event showcased the success of our relationship with Qingdao and how the partnership has evolved over the almost 20 years that we have been working together. Since we partnered with the Sailing City in 2005, the foundations have been laid for China to develop its maritime industry, drawing on the expertise of Clipper Ventures. Furthermore, the Clipper Race has enabled over a hundred Chinese sailors to discover and excel at the sport through the Ambassador programme and go on to grow their careers in the industry in China, and further afield.

“Collaborating with the GREAT Campaign and Qingdao Organising Committee to deliver this panel event is a testament to the success of the Clipper Race in bringing organisations from around the world together.”

Press and Media

The Clipper Race attracts the attention of global media, and the Qingdao stopover was no different.

From an official press conference where the podium Skippers, First Mates and Qingdao Ambassador crew recounted their experience of ocean racing, to extensive coverage such as China Yachting Magazine, Sohu and the Qingdao Morning Post, the Chinese media were encapsulated by the stories of the intrepid Clipper Race sailors and the strong Qingdao partnership. Furthermore, local media and national sailing press were welcomed for a unique sailing day on board the Qingdao yacht, getting a true taste of life on a Clipper 70. Chinese influencers also had the chance to meet the crew and take a tour of an ocean-racing yacht, generating extensive coverage on Chinese social media channels.

Fostering connections across cultures and sampling the local traditions

As the Clipper Race fleet circumnavigates the world, it aims to positively impact the destinations it stops in, engaging with the local community in each port. In Qingdao, from school visits to school yacht tours and cultural activities, Race Crew joined the locals in several events. A highlight among the sailors and Clipper Race Officials was the opening ceremony of Qingdao’s fourth Community Games. Featuring martial arts and tai chi performances and a true celebration of Chinese tradition as part of the official welcome, members of the Clipper Race were invited to get involved in a range of games from tug of war to dragon racing.

Image: Qingdao's fourth community games

In a unique event hosted by a local Pizza Hut restaurant, Clipper Race crew had the chance to sit together with local students and share stories of sailing across the world’s oceans and take part in crafts whilst enjoying some pizza. Race Crew also had the chance to sample cultural activities and traditions, such as a Peking Opera performance, a walking tour around the city, of course with a Tsingtao brewery visit, and a trip to a local bakery, Richer Bakery, for a lesson in how to make traditional sticky rice buns.

Image: Pizza Hut event where Race Crew met with young people from the community for a number of activities

Image: Learning how to make traditional sticky rice balls

A memorable send-off before the North Pacific crossing

The Qingdao stopover is not only iconic in its long-standing history with the Clipper Race but also the start port for the race across the North Pacific, with a departure ceremony that matched the enormity of the challenge ahead. Teams each had a final moment on stage, with gift exchanges and final wishes of fair winds from key Qingdao leaders to close the event.

It was then time for the teams to parade to their yacht, with traditional drummers, dragon dancers and cheering making for a memorable send-off and adrenaline filled last moments on shore ahead of the Mighty North Pacific crossing.

Nadine Harris, Partnerships and Events Manager at Clipper Ventures: "It was fantastic to work with Qingdao Organising Committee to deliver another incredibly successful Clipper Race stopover in China's Sailing City. Everything from the spectacular welcome, to the diverse programme of events steeped in culture really highlights how well this long-standing partnership has grown and flourished over the years. Building on the knowledge and expertise of previous editions, this stopover really shone on this year's race circuit.

"We look forward to re-uniting with our friends from Qingdao to celebrate the end of the Clipper 2023-24 Race in Portsmouth, and eagerly commence planning for a bigger and better campaign for 2025.26."

Zhang Min, Executive Secretary General of the Qingdao Organising Committee and Director General of Qingdao Sports Development Center said: “The Qingdao stopover has been very smooth and provided the opportunity for locals and tourists to experience the charm of the Clipper Race visiting. Meanwhile, it has allowed international crew to experience Qingdao’s culture, city views and great food.

“The Clipper Race partnership has put Qingdao City on the map from a global perspective, and the brand has been promoted through other stopovers on the race route and has built a firm base for international connections.

"We have built a very strong and powerful friendship over these nearly 20 years, and we have deepened our cooperation with continuous development, I hope that Qingdao and the Clipper Race can continue the partnership for good.”