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January 27th 2011
Qingdao, the City of Sailing, Confirmed as
Chinese Host Venue
At the official launch of the 2011 Extreme Sailing Series™ in
Estoril (Portugal) in December 2010, China was confirmed as one
of nine the host countries – a new territory for this year's
circuit and a significant step into the burgeoning Asian market.
Today [27th January, 2011] it can now be revealed that Qingdao,
the fourth largest manufacturing port in the country and known
as the City of Sailing, will be the official host Chinese venue
to Act 2 to be staged between 13th to 17th April.
Yacht racing in front of the Qingdao skyline
The Extreme Sailing Series Race Village will be located in Fushan
Bay, which was also the home of the Olympic Village in 2008, and
will be open to the public between the 15th to 17th April when
the 11-boat Extreme 40 fleet will race inside the bay right in
front of the spectators
[13th-14th April are 'open water' days when the fleet will be racing outside of Fushan Bay]
"The Extreme Sailing Series will be staged at nine iconic venues
this year, a mix of international cities and coastal resorts,"
said Mark Turner, Executive Chairman of the circuit organisers,
OC ThirdPole. "The circuit has already established a footprint
in Asia with our events in Hong Kong and Singapore, and to
confirm Qingdao as the host venue to Act 2 cements our vision to
be a truly 'global' circuit that strives to reach new
international destinations and take the Extreme Sailing Series
to new audiences that have a strong appeal to our stakeholders."
An official ceremony in Qingdao today, attended by Vice Mayor of
Qingdao, Mr Xiu-Lin Wang, along with the President of Qingdao
Yacht Association, Mdm Zhi-Wei Lin, and Mark Turner, sealed the
agreement with the city as a host venue to the Extreme Sailing
Series in 2011.
Mdm Zhi-Wei Lin and Mark Turner sign the host venue agreement
"I feel proud that Qingdao becomes the first city in China to
host the ESS event," stated Vice Mayor of Qingdao, Mr. Wang.
"The competitive and exciting Extreme Sailing Series event will
provide the city of Qingdao another opportunity to play on the
international stage and reinforce its image as the sailing
capital of China."
"Qingdao will benefit from this event by learning from the
experience of the organiser, OC ThirdPole, in race and event
management which in the long run will help the sailing
development in Qingdao. The people of Qingdao will be able to
enjoy another grand prix sailing event after the Olympic Sailing
and Volvo Ocean Race. I am expecting to see the Olympic Sailing
center, the venue for the Extreme Sailing Series Qingdao event,
turn into a festive mood when the racing is on. The Qingdao
people will enjoy both the racing and entertainment activities
taking place in the race village.
By hosting the Extreme
Sailing Series event, we also hope to attract the younger
generation to get interested in sailing. Children will have
chance to meet the crew and I am confident that the Extreme
Sailing Series Qingdao event will be of a great success."
Qingdao International Sailing Centre
In addition to securing a Chinese venue, the search is on to find
a Chinese sailor to race during Act 2 on board 'Team Extreme!'
as part of the crew, skippered by experienced Olympic multihull
sailor Roland Gaebler from Germany. As Turner explains: "Team
Extreme is being led by Roland with international sailing stars
Bruno Dubois and Sebbe Godefroid as his regular crew. However,
the objective for Team Extreme is to have a sailor from the
country of each host venue to take the fourth crew spot to
provide an opportunity for that country to showcase their best
national or local sailing talent."
Qingdao, China
Act 2, 15th – 17th April (13th-14th 'open-water' racing)
Now known as the City of Sailing, Qingdao's became the host venue
for sailing for Beijing's 2008 Olympic Games boosting its
profile to an international audience. Perfectly located on the
Southeast peninsula surrounded on three sides by the Yellow Sea,
Qingdao is now China's premier sailing destination with first
class facilities at its International Sailing center.
Originally opened to tourism in 1984 the city now attracts 15
million visitors a year and is the fourth largest manufacturing
port in the country. Framed by miles of golden sandy beaches,
combined with steady winds that make it a perfect racing
location.
Qingdao is a city steeped in China's 20th century history. Now a
tourism hotspot in China, the sprawling city has a population of
7.5 million and a vibrant economy. The Downtown skyline can
rival that of any major city with an impressive array of
cultures, cuisines, and lively nightlife. Tsingato, the most
popular beer in China operates their headquarters and index
brewery in Qingdao. The brewery is open to visitors who can take
a tour around the oldest working brewery in China, whilst the
brewery can be observed in action and guests can enjoy the beer
tasting afterwards!
2011 Calendar & Host Venues:
Act 1: 22-24 February, Muscat, Oman (20-21 'open-water' racing*)
Act 2: 15-17 April, Qingdao, China (13-14 'open-water' racing)
Act 3: 27-29 May, Istanbul, Turkey (25-26 'open-water' racing)
Act 4: 30 June – 4 July, Boston, USA (all days public event)
Act 5: 6-12 August, Cowes, UK (all days public event)
Act 6: 16-18 September, Trapani, Italy (14-15 'open-water'
racing)
Act 7: 30 September – 2 October, Nice, France (28-29 'open-water'
racing)
Act 8: 12-16 October, Almeria, Spain (all days public event)
Act 9: 9-11 December, Singapore (7-8 'open-water' racing)
2011 Confirmed Teams & Skippers:
Team Name - Nat. - Skipper Name - Nat.
Alinghi - SUI - Tanguy Cariou - FRA
Artemis Racing - SWE - Terry Hutchinson - USA
Groupe Edmond de Rothschild - FRA - Pierre Pennec - FRA
Luna Rossa - ITA - Max Sirena - ITA
NiceForYou - ITA - Alberto Barovier - ITA
Oman Air - OMA - Sidney Gavignet - FRA
Red Bull Extreme Sailing - AUT - Roman Hagara - AUT
Team GAC Pindar - GBR - Ian Williams - GBR
Team Extreme! - EUR - Roland Gaebler - GER
Team New Zealand - NZL - Dean Barker - NZL
The Wave, Muscat - OMA - Torvar Mirsky - AUS
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