Zhuhai Prizegiving

The Zhuhai Prizegiving was long awaited and did not disappoint. A packed banquet hall of Race Crew, supporters, Race Officials and dignitaries from the Zhuhai Organising Committee celebrated the achievements of Leg 5. The audience was also entertained with a packed billing of cultural performances of traditional dance, and Chinese style sea-shanties, all hosted by Zhuhai Ambassador Jingyun Huang.

Image: Traditional dancers welcome Leg 5 crew

First up on the running order was an update to the UNICEF fundraising total from across the fleet, with this now topping £350,685! The top three teams on the fundraising leader board are Bekezela that has so far raised £55,448, UNICEF with £46,818 and Our Isles and Oceans with £39,333.

Next to be announced was the Leg 5 Charity Champion Award. After a fantastic Big Ol’ Australi’ Ceilidh during the Airlie Beach stopover, the award was rightfully given to the Our Isles and Oceans team behind the event. Stephen Mackenzie and Tom Newsom took to the stage but were soon joined by the full crew as the event was supported by the whole team.

Image: Our Isles and Oceans receive Charity Champion Award

The Leg 5 Media Award went to Jade Golder and the Perseverance team for their fun and creative take on content creation in the Clipper Race. Look out for the video dropping soon. Highly commended nods were given to David Broadbent on Bekezela for his “west of everywhere else” video and UNICEF for the “working 9 to 5”, a video showing the realities of living on board a Clipper 70.

Image: Jade Golder receives Media Award on behalf of Perseverance

Opening the formalities was Lin Rituan, Vice Secretary General of Zhuhai Municipal Government. This was followed by a thank you to the Zhuhai Organising Committee and the Jiuzhou Holding Group for their hospitality so far on the stopover from Clipper Race Director Mark Light.

Image: Lin Rituan, Vice Secretary General of Zhuhai Municipal Government

In his speech, Mark said: “Your dedication, attention to detail, and unwavering support have truly elevated this event to extraordinary heights.

“From the moment our teams arrived, they were welcomed with the warmth and hospitality that Zhuhai is renowned for. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed, and we are deeply grateful for your commitment to excellence.”

Image: Race Director Mark Light congratulates Race Crew

And then it was over to the racing part of the proceedings! Hosted by Deputy Race Director, Dale Smyth, he said: “What an amazing race. It was superb to follow on the Race Viewer and had spectators gripped until the very end! Despite varying conditions, we are delighted to have the whole fleet here tonight.”

It was chants of Dare, Lead, Dare, Lead, DARE TO LEAD as Dare To Lead was announced as third place on Race 8: Sprint to the City of a Hundred Islands. Ryan and Charlie led the team to stage to collect another pennant for its flag halyard.

Image: Dare To Lead take third place

Next onto stage was Race 8’s second place team, Perseverance. This was the team’s first podium place since its hattrick of podiums in the first three races of the edition and retain the top spot of the leaderboard.

Image: Back to the podium for Perseverance

And finally,it’s a trio of top spots for Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam who took its third first place of the circumnavigation, racing from the home port it has represented for the past 20,000nm.

Image: Trio of top spots for Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam

Following his welcome remarks, Zhang Hongyong, President of Zhuhai HuafaUrbanmade a Chinese toast of ganbei before an unbelievable feast of Cantonese cuisine, set to a backing of traditional Chinese entertainment – dancers, opera, acrobatics and even a four-piece rock band belting out sea shanties! A perfectly fitting celebration for Leg 5 Race Crew’s endeavours.

Race Crew are now resting, relaxing and enjoying all that Zhuhai has to offer before Leg 6 kicks off on 12 March.

Image: Zhuhai team gift pennant to Zhuhai Organising Committee

Image: Clipper Race Managing Director Chris Rushton receives gift from ZOC

Image: GANBEI!

Image: Traditional Chinese performance to close the night