Qingdao, China — China national flag waving, Guo Chuan starts his solo non-stop around the world challenge from Qingdao at 11.57am today.
The departure ceremony was held at 10am in front of the Grand Theatre of Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center. Authroties from local government, Qingdao Sailing Association, representatives of sponsors and partners, relatives and friends of Guo Chuan all attended the departure ceremony. Mr. Xia Geng, Deputy provincial governor of Shandong Province presented Guo Chuan with China national flag at the departure ceremony. Representatives of sponsors gave Guo Chuan drift bottles as presents with best wishes.
Guo Chuan was a bit emotional at the departure ceremony. He said, "From two years ago when I began to prepare for the solo non-stop circumnavigation, I have experienced many hard moments. It is with your support that I can still perservere to keep going for my dream. I am very grateful to all the kind support. Now I am very confident, believe me, I will come back and see you next spring".
Mr. Luan Xin, Deputy Major of Qingdao, said at the departure ceremony, "Doing a solo non-stop circumnavigation is like a dream for many great offshore sailors. Guo Chuan is the first Chinese pioneer to challenge the great Odessy. He is the pride of Qingdao for his perseverence, bravety and his spirit of challenging himself. We hereby wish Guo great success in this extreme challenge and expect to welcome him back in four month".
After the departure ceremony, Guo Chuan bade his family at the marina of Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center and left for the start-off line, many boats escorting his boat "Qingdao" to show their support and kind wishes.
11.53am, when Guo Chuan arrived around the start-off line. Ms. Zhang Xiao Dong, the windsurfing world champion and silver medalist for women's Mistral at 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games jumped into the sea to wish Guo Chuan all the success.
11.57.09am, World Sailing Speed Record Council officially declared the start of Guo Chuan’s solo non-stop circumnavigation. Guo Chuan sails "Qingdao" gradually far away to begin his Odessy.
After leaving Qingdao at the East Sea of China, Guo Chuan will sail east towards Cape Horn in Chile before heading to Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. Then he will sail towards the Indian Ocean and finally return to Qingdao. The 21,600-nautical-mile journey is scheduled to be completed within 125 days.
In world sailing history, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Ellen MacArthur and Francis Joyon all hit headlines for their single-handed world sailing tours. However, no sailor has ever attempted to challenge a solo non-stop circumnavigation in such a small sized boat as an Akilaria Class 40. Therefore, if Guo Chuan’s run is successful, a new world record for solo non-stop around the world challenge of Class 40 boat will be created, and for the first time, by a Chinese.
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