​Opportunity of a Lifetime to Represent Qingdao to the World

The search is on for intrepid crew to represent China’s Sailing City of Qingdao in the upcoming Clipper 2019-20 Race.

For the eighth consecutive edition, Qingdao’s distinctive red and gold dragon will be racing around the globe and on board for each leg will be a person flying the flag for a city that has consistently hosted one of the most loved stopovers on the Clipper Race route.

IMAGE: Hungry E Xianghong after arriving in Qingdao.

A total of 14 Ambassadors who either hailed from Qingdao or had a special connection to the city took part in the 2017-18 edition of the race, helping team Qingdao finish in a record high third place overall. Now, however, it is the time to pass the torch to the next generation.

Mr. Ji Gaoshang, General Director of Qingdao Sports Bureau and Executive Secretary of Qingdao Major International Sailing Events (Festivals) Organising Committee, said: "My dear friends from the sailing world, the Qingdao Ambassador Crew selection for Clipper 2019-20 Race is now officially underway. On behalf of the Qingdao Municipal Government and Qingdao Major International Sailing Events (Festivals) Organising Committee, I invite you to apply to become one of Qingdao's Crew. Qingdao is known by the world as ‘China’s Sailing City', and is the longest serving partner in Clipper Race history. The upcoming eighth consecutive Qingdao stopover will be regarded as 'The Most Unique of All'.

"Ever since the Clipper Race visited Qingdao for its first stopover in 2006, this unique event has become a very much anticipated festive occasion by the local community, and the long-cherished partnership has witnessed massive growth and development of the Sailing City of Qingdao.

“My friends, you're just one step away from an ocean adventure. If you have a dream for ocean sailing, then we're offering you an opportunity to make it come true! Sign up to join the Qingdao team, let's sail with hearts to success!"

IMAGE: Bobby Zhang celebrating the North Pacific win with Qingdao Skipper Chris Kobusch.

The new group of Ambassador Crew Members will be selected following a week-long trial in Qingdao in January, with the lucky individuals chosen then to undergo training in the UK ahead of Race Start next Summer.

Clipper Race Founder and Chairman, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston said: “I am very pleased that we will once again be working with the Qingdao Organising Committee to train people to represent China’s Sailing City in the Clipper 2019-20 Race.

IMAGE: The Qingdao team arriving in Seattle, USA.

“Qingdao is a special city to us as it is was where our relationship with China began back in 2005. Since then, we have trained almost 100 people to represent Qingdao on the global stage, with some of the Ambassadors, like Vicky Song, who through the Clipper Race became the first Chinese woman to sail around the world, and since then has gone on to do many more great things in the world of sailing.

“I look forward to meeting the Clipper 2019-20 Race Qingdao Ambassadors and seeing what they achieve on the race.”

IMAGE: Tu Shan racing from Fremantle to Sydney in Australia.

The twelfth edition of the biennial ocean race, will be an important chapter in the growth of sailing in China. It will feature three Chinese Host Port and Team Partners and the largest number of Chinese crew in the 22 year history of the event. Ambassador crew members will also be selected to represent the cities of Sanya and Zhuhai, with the latter making its debut as both a Team Partner and Host Port in the Clipper 2019-20 Race.

For further information and to apply, contact the Qingdao Organising Committee on [email protected]. Applications will be open until Tuesday 18 December, with selected applicants to be announced following a Selection Trial in January in Qingdao.