Qingdao team dock at Ha Long (Photo: VNA) Quang Ninh (VNA) – The first teams competing in the 2023-2024 ClipperRound the World Yacht Race docked at Ha Long International Cruise Port in thenortheastern province of Quang Ninh ahead of schedule.
The first team to berth at Ha Long was Qingdao,making landfall at 1:20pm on February 18, followed by team Zhuhai at 1:55pm.
The Vietnamese sailing team named "Ha LongBay, Viet Nam" is also scheduled to dock at the Ha Long port on the same day.
The race, drawing nearly 400 sailors aboard 11 sailingyachts, is divided into eight legs and 16 individual races, including sixocean crossings. They can choose to either complete the full circumnavigationor opt for one or multiple legs.
The Vietnamese destination is on the fifth leg within theAsia-Pacific Challenge where sailors will take part in the race and differentactivities during the 10-day event.
As planned, the teams will make a stop in QuangNinh until February 27 for rest and relaxation. There will be numeroussightseeing activities at tourist landmarks, with cultural exchanges along theway.
The Clipper Race was first organised in 1996 in the UK. Sincethen, almost 6,000 race crew from diverse backgrounds representing more than 60nations have undergone training and taken part in the competition.
It is the only race in the world where the organisers supply afleet of identical racing yachts, each with a fully qualified skipper and firstmate to safely guide the crew. Crews must complete four levels of intense oceanracer training before they compete.
Renowned for its grueling nature, it is one ofthe most formidable challenges in the natural realm and an unparalleled test ofendurance and resilience./.
