MainSail
SHOW #42
China
History has been made at the China Cup in Shenzhen – it’s the first ever international big boat regatta hosted in mainland China. The Chinese are taking to yachting in a big way, after their entry in the America’s Cup and the arrival of Olympic sailing in Qingdao. This new event is also on a grand scale with a promised budget up to $40 million over the next three years. It’s an impressive achievement in a country that has so far had little to do with yacht racing, but as the Chinese economy booms, everything seems possible.
MainSail presenter, Shirley Robertson joins an international women’s team in the first race of the China Cup, from Hong Kong to Shenzhen. Robertson, an Olympic helmswoman, takes the wheel of their 40.7 Beneteau, one of ten identical yachts bought by the event to attract teams from countries around the world, including Japan, Brazil and France. Once in Shenzhen, Robertson interviews one of the driving forces behind the growth in Chinese sailing - Mr Li Qanhai, Vice President of the Chinese Yachting Association.
A fleet of 55 boats competes in two days of inshore racing at Longcheer Yacht Club in Shenzhen. Robertson gets on board with Hong Kong industrialist Frank Pong, the honorary chairman of the China Team in the America’s Cup, for his views on this historic event. MainSail also interviews the event organizer David Zhong to hear his ambitious plans for the future of the event.
The China Cup is not just a sailing regatta. There are many associated cultural and sporting events taking place at the same time, all staged with great showmanship. MainSail checks out the modern art exhibition, showcasing some of China’s foremost artists and asks the director of Strategic Planning for the China Cup Xiao Yu why they wanted to make this more than a sailing regatta.
The Chinese have stamped their mark on international yacht racing in a truly unique way.
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