A winner’s welcome! 

The Race 11: #SailConnected with SENA winners, the Qingdao team, arrived in Panama full of smiles with another victory under its belt and ready to rest, relax and enjoy the sunshine!

Image: Qingdao arrives into Panama port

The team raced hard to secure its third consecutive podium, pipping competitors Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam at the final furlong after a first-second switch up between the two teams for last couple of days of racing.

Due to fickle winds, which this area of the world is renowned for, the race finished at Mandatory Finish Gate 2, meaning the team had a 1,000nm and six day motor down to the stopover spot in Flamenco Bay, giving them plenty of time to reflect on the race.

Image: Celebration time for our Race 11 winners

As they arrived first at the Flamenco Bay Marina, Panama, Skipper Philip Quinn said: “It’s great, it’s what we set out to do. It’s a race and you set out to win. We knew the wind was going to die, and all we could do was get a big enough cushion between us and everyone else that they didn’t pass us – and it worked! It was a lot of hard work, trying to keep a boat moving when there is virtually no wind, but the crew were brilliant.”

On the racing tactics he added: “You don’t try to go slow at any point, so it’s about the concentration and keeping it going, keeping on pushing.”

Image: Skipper Philip Quinn reflects on the race

Joining round the world Ambassador Ziqi Wang, known as Zack, for this leg were two Qingdao Ambassadors, Feng Tien and Jianglong Shi.

Reflecting on his first race with the Qingdao team, Jianglong Shi, known on board as Peter said: “We made it! And we made it through the hard stuff. The first week was so cold, and then the next week was so hot! Several times Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam took the top spot from us, but we took it back.”

Race 11 is renowned for its wildlife – something that attracts many to choose to take on this leg. Peter added “The biggest highlight for me was seeing so much wildlife. Hundreds of dolphins and whales. Huge whales just 5metresaway from us. It was so exciting! And so many birds, over 30 birds just wanting to play with us.”

Image: Qingdao Ambassador Zack

Ambassador Feng Tian, known as Richard, added: “I was told that this would be one of the easier races of the whole round the world, but it seems to me that is not the truth! It’s cold, it’s hot and one of the longest races. 28 days on board is tough. But we are so glad to be named the champions!

“This is my first time in this part of the globe, it’s 12 hours away from my home so it’s totally different. We will enjoy Panama for a few days before we go through the canal – which is very exciting!”

Now having completed eleven races, Qingdao Ambassador Frank said: “Wow, this was a long one. It’s been four weeks on the water, and it’s been really hard. But we quite enjoy that! And another first place. We did a great job, and I am so happy for our team.

Image: Champagne celebrations

“We thought we had lost the game when we crossed Mandatory Gate 1 and Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam was in Stealth Mode. It was unsettling not to be able to see them, and they hit the first gate first. But we pushed hard between gates one and two, and we made it. It’s not a miracle, it’s down to everyone’s hard work, and Philip and Henry’s strategy plan.”

Talking of the wildlife, Frank added: “I have never seen so much wildlife in my whole life! We saw sharks, whales – everything. And so many dolphins! And with the wind holes it was a great opportunity to take in all of this wildlife.”

Image: It's happy faces to back on land after a tough race from Lucia (pictured centre)

Multi-legger Lucia Feltz said of the team’s win: “The racing back and forth – we were in first, then second, then first again. And then we won the race! But it was close. We were ahead for a long time, and then it got to the back and forth and it was game on.”

Having experienced many different conditions across the three previous legs she has competed in, Lucia added: “Everyone hoped it would get really warm, but they didn’t realise just how hot it would get! A lot of us took to sleeping on deck and it was just beautiful as you would be awoken to your crew shouting “whale!” or “dolphin!”. And so many turtles passing by, two pods of whales and so many dolphins!”

Image: Smile! Lucia chats to Clipper Race Live

With plenty of action still to come from Flamenco Island marina. Keep up with the lates on our socials, or tune in live to Clipper Race Live.