Saturday, 16 February 2008

The New York crew captained by Duggie Gillespie arrived victorious into Qingdao this afternoon after bagging their second consecutive win.  The New York team has won three races, putting them in fourth place with Liverpool 08 on the overall results table.  Later that afternoon they were joined by Durban 2010 & Beyond and Glasgow: Scotland with Style, whose results on Race six provisionally place them first and third overall respectively.

In Qingdao the winning skipper, Duggie Gillespie said:  "The welcome here has been incredibly warm.  It has been such a difficult race but this reception has made it all worthwhile.  It feels like we have won the Olympics of sailing and it's just great to be here.  We have heard so much about China and we are all looking forward to having a look around and enjoying your hospitality."

Each of the skippers were presented with a Chinese velvet embroidered cape traditionally worn by Chinese emperors and each crew member received a bouquet of fresh flowers before they were escorted to a giant stage for a lavish welcoming ceremony.

After being escorted past hundreds of tai chi dancers, drummers, and Olympic mascots, the weary but elated crews climbed onto the stage in front of thousands as the sky lit up with fireworks.  Madam Zang Executive Chairwoman of the Qingdao Olympic Sailing Committee told the crews:  "Today the famous Clipper Fleet and its crews came once again to China to the sailing city of Qingdao. Your arrival brings great joy to Qingdao's spring festival celebrations in our Olympic year."

"In 2006, the first visit of the Clipper Fleet brought Qingdao citizens closer to sailing sports.  I hope this visit will improve Qingdao's interest in sailing sports further ahead of the Olympics later this year," Zang said.

"This has been an incredibly tough race for all the teams and they will be relieved to have finally arrived in Qingdao.  It has been the hardest race so far in Clipper 07-08 with relentless headwinds and freezing temperatures.  It is one they will be telling their grandchildren about in years to come," commented Race Director, Joff Bailey.

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