China on Show in Race of Their Lives Episode 4

The award-winning Race of Their Lives – the documentary showcasing the incredible achievements of the Clipper 2017-18 Round the World Yacht Race crew – is set to return for the Asia-Pacific Leg 5.

For the first time in the two-decade history of the Clipper Race, the fleet raced to two Chinese Host Ports, Sanya and Qingdao, and all the action and adventure of these two very different races will once again be broadcast across the United Kingdom on Sky Sports and on FOX in Australia.

IMAGE: Clipper Race crew enjoying the White On White Lunch on Whitehaven Beach. © Riptide Creative

Beginning in the wondrous Whitsundays in Australia, Episode 4 will showcase the warm hospitality of Far North Queensland and the amazing events of the inaugural Clipper Race Carnival that the crew were lucky enough to experience before setting off on the first stage of Leg 5 – the Forever Tropical Paradise Race 7 to Sanya, China.

The second crossing of the equator tested all eleven teams, with the heat making life uncomfortable on board. But despite the hardships, the racing was once again thrilling, with the placings only decided in the last few hours of the 4,300nm race. PSP Logistics clinched its first win and was followed across the finish line by Dare To Lead and Qingdao, whilst the fourth placed Sanya Serenity Coast received a hero’s welcome to it’s home port.

IMAGE: The Sanya Serenity Coast team being honoured in Sanya. © Olli Geibel

This was the first time the Clipper Race fleet had visited Sanya and the city, known as the Oriental Hawaii, put on a show. From the Welcome Ceremony, which included dragon dancers and fireworks to the incredible Prize Giving, the Stopover will be a highlight of the circumnavigation for the majority of crew.

IMAGE: The dramatic and memorable Sanya Prize Giving. © Olli Geibel

Sanya was also the scene of the first ever in-port race, with all eleven Skippers hugely impressed by the incredible sailing conditions in the waters off Hainan Island.

Race 8, the Sailing City Qingdao Cup, from Sanya to Qingdao was a direct contrast. The tropical heat soon gave way to icy conditions and all the teams were kept on their toes racing through the world’s biggest fishing fleet in the Yellow Sea.

IMAGE: Qingdao racing towards its home port. © Sailfish Photography

The legendary Qingdao welcome was on show for the boat arrivals at the newly constructed Wanda Yacht Club in the West Coast New Area, particularly for Visit Seattle, which clinched its second win in Race 8.

IMAGE: The colourful welcome at the Wanda Yacht Club in Qingdao. © Sailfish Photography

Sky Sports in the United Kingdom will air Episode 4 from Friday 18 May, with the full list of timings (BST / UTC+1) as follows:

18/05/2018 18:00 Sky Sports Action SD and HD

18/05/2018 23:30 Sky Sports Arena SD and HD

19/05/2018 01:00 Sky Sports Arena SD and HD

19/05/2018 20:30 Sky Sports Action SD and HD

The episode will also be On Demand for a week after the premiere, and the full Race of Their Lives 3 documentary will also be available to purchase after the Clipper 2017-18 Race concludes in Liverpool on July 28 2018.

UPDATE:

FOX in Australia will be airing Episode 4 at the following times (local):

18/05/2018 02:30 FOX 501

18/05/2018 14:30 FOX 505

06/06/2018 06:00 FOX 503

To follow the progress of the fleet, which is currently racing from Seattle, USA, to Panama, keep an eye on the Race Viewer on the Clipper Race website.