ChinaSpirit Makes History with 2 wins at the Extreme Sailing Series in Nice, France
8 October 2013, Nice, France
ChinaSpirit, the exclusive Chinese Multiplatform Performance Sailing Team, based in Shanghai, China and endorsed by the Government, proudly represented China at the Extreme Sailing Series in Nice, France, this weekend. ChinaSpirit made history by winning 2 races. This is the first time that a Chinese sailing team wins in an elite international regatta.
ChinaSpirit participated in the Extreme Sailing Series in Nice, France, one of the most respected international sailing series in the world, combining the best skippers on the planet competing on state of the art 40 foot catamarans, the Extreme 40.
This is only the 2nd time for ChinaSpirit to participate in the Extreme Sailing Series, compared to most teams who have competed for over a year. So winning 2 races in a row on day 3 and day 4 was a real victory for ChinaSpirit and the start of the vision to “Make History…Again” for China. Winning the last race on day 3 and the first race on day 4 positioned ChinaSpirit with the mainstream teams which have much more experience. ChinaSpirit was able to place in the top 3 in more than 32% of the races (compared to 25% in Cardiff); and top 5 in over 55% of the races (compared to 50% in Cardiff). So a strong improvement for ChinaSpirit compared to their first event one month ago.
“Winning not one, but two 2 races, for a new team joining at the end of the Extreme Sailing Series is a testament to the quality of ChinaSpirit and proves that ChinaSpirit has what it takes to compete with the best sailors in the world. Our goal is for China to get excited to watch what a Chinese sailing team can achieve with the right resources and athletes. We want China to start watching and following the progress of their very own sailing team”, says Noëlle Gahan- Smulders, CEO of ChinaSpirit.
Noëlle Gahan-Smulders adds “We have three major goals for 2014; one of them is a Recruitment and Training program for young Chinese sailors and athletes – to achieve this goal, ChinaSpirit will need to participate in many international regattas as well as partner with the best sailing academies across the world. The multiplatform format of ChinaSpirit is the ideal path for developing and growing young Chinese sailors to win international regattas. Eventually ChinaSpirit will be manned by mainly Chinese sailors and will win the races”.
Phil Roberston, ChinaSpirit skipper and ranked #5 worldwide in match racing, adds “It’s been tough coming in mid-season and we are putting in all the efforts on and off the water to get up to speed. We are pushing the boat to its limit and did have a good scare on day 1 when we nearly rolled the boat, but were able to keep our cool and control the boat safely. We are thrilled with the result. Our speed in the breeze was great and our speed in the light airs improved at every race. We are now competitive and mixing it at the top of the fleet. I’m happy that we were able to seal the deal, not once, but twice with 2 wins. Our efforts paid off and we couldn't be in a better place after only two events.”
ChinaSpirit mainsail trimmer William Wu repeated his exploits in Nice and was thrilled to be part of making history for China with the 2 wins and strong results overall: “I hope that China will start watching and following ChinaSpirit as this is really exciting and as we gain more experience and have more Chinese sailors aboard, there is no reason why we should not place in the top 3. I was very happy to see that CCTV was here for 2 days to follow ChinaSpirit and hope that many Chinese people will enjoy watching us on TV and the internet to see what we can do for China and then start supporting our very own sailing team”.
Noëlle Gahan-Smulders always finishes with the same idea, and this time with an exciting twist to her usual words: “I usually repeat our motto that just like China made history six hundred years ago by ruling the seas with ‘Zheng He’, we believe that ‘It is Time for China to Make History….Again!’. But this weekend, ChinaSpirit Made History already! There is nothing more to say!”
About ChinaSpirit:
ChinaSpirit is the exclusive Chinese Multiplatform Performance Sailing Team, based in Shanghai and endorsed by the Chinese Central government. ChinaSpirit is about "Making History…Again" through total excellence in international regattas, creation of a Sailing Academy to develop Chinese sailing skills and educating on marine conservation and supporting underprivileged youth. ChinaSpirit is about showcasing China's strengths in sports, technological innovation and leadership, all at the same time. ChinaSpirit is about building a Chinese sailing team capable of winning the world's top regattas and improving children's lives. And ChinaSpirit is about sailing, winning and exceeding all expectations. Above all, ChinaSpirit is about excellence.
www.chinaspirit.com
www.facebook.com/ChinaSpiritAC
http://weibo.cn/chinaspirit2013
About The Extreme Sailing Series:
Established in 2007, the Extreme Sailing Series. is the original 'stadium-style' racing circuit designed for spectators, delivering high-performance action close to shore. Attracting some of the world's very best sailors racing 40-feet multihulls on short courses, the global circuit spans the Middle East, Asia, South America and Europe. The Extreme Sailing Series. also delivers a unique and bespoke VIP experience, with guests racing on board during the races. And sailing fans around the world follow the action via the live TV coverage online.
The media value of the Extreme Sailing Series. has grown year on year since 2007, and in 2012 was valued at €27.8million including a 7-part TV series distributed to broadcasters worldwide, offering an attractive proposition to the circuit's partners that includes Series Main Partner Land Rover and other premium, world-class brands.
Focusing on building its shore-side Race Village with live music and entertainment, this pioneering circuit will continue to innovate as it looks to the future. The Extreme Sailing Series. has been granted "Special Event Status" by ISAF*, the sport's governing body, and is a strong supporter of promoting sailing in to new markets and to new audiences.
*ISAF - The International Sailing Federation is recognized by the International Olympic Committee as the world governing body for the sport of sailing yacht racing.
For more information contact:
Email :noelle@chinaspirit.com
Photos:http://www.chinaspirit.com/gallery.html