After racing over 40,000 nautical miles around the globe, Sanya Serenity Coast became the first ever Chinese team to clinch an overall victory in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race which concluded in Liverpool, UK, on 28 July. To celebrate and showcase the epic adventure of Sanya’s debut team entry, as well as express thanks to supporters and media, a premiere party was held in Sanya, China, on Wednesday 19 September where government delegates, press and public watched the 30 minute documentary filmed by on board media crew member Ming Hao.

Led by Clipper Race Skipper Wendy Tuck, 53, from Sydney, Australia, over 60 non-professional crew members from many walks of life represented the tropical destination of Sanya as they raced in 13 individual races on board the Clipper 70, crossing six oceans and visiting as many continents along the way as part of the Sanya Serenity Coast team.

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Recalling the past year, Chen Zhenmin, director of the Sanya Culture, Broadcasting, Television and Publication Sports Bureau, said: “Sanya Serenity Coast was led by Skipper Wendy. During the circumnavigation, the team crossed the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean and crossed the equator twice. During the course of the race, the Sanya Serenity Coast team had three line honor wins and made seven appearances on the podium.”

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Sanya’s inaugural Ambassador Programme was designed to help Sanya promote the city as a tourist destination and support the long-term development strategy of combining sports and tourism. The ambassadors also helped to showcase Sanya as a sailing destination during the eleventh edition of the Clipper Race. The 16 Sanya Ambassadors were aged from 23 to 55 from a broad range of backgrounds, including yacht managers, dive and travel tour guides, television presenters, CEOs, marketeers, language interpreters, ocean race organisers, and sailing school staff. Speaking about the Sanya Ambassador programme, Chen Zhenmin added: “Under the Sanya Ambassador Programme, two specially selected Sanya Ambassadors also promoted the city and established strong relationships between the Chinese crew and the other crew members which hailed from 41 nations during each of the eight Legs.

“History has been made with Sanya in Chinese sailing history. With the support of all sailing people around the world and Sanya’s citizens, the city is on the way to becoming an international sailing destination faster than ever.”

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Media crew member and documentary producer Ming Hao spent the year with the team capturing the highs and lows of the racing. He said: “Racing with the Sanya Serenity Coast team was truly the race of my life, it was a great opportunity for me and for each of the 18 ambassadors who took part in a Leg. I would like to give my sincere thanks to Sanya organizing committee and all Sanya Serenity Coast supporters!”

Dai Yuming, Vice Mayor of Sanya, explained how Sanya made its debut as a Host Port and Race Partner in the Clipper 2017-18 and is looking forward to the Clipper 2019-20 Race, where Sanya will have an even more profound presence on the race circuit.

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Since the Clipper Race started in August 2017, the Sanya Organizing Committee has promoted the city at all Clipper Race Stopovers by inviting dignitaries on board, holding Sanya tourism exhibitions and events, and by hosting talks at world-famous universities. Sanya has used the Clipper 2017-18 Race as vehicle to promote itself as a tourist destination and attracted thousands of visitors from European and western countries come to Sanya.

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Vice Mayor Dai also presented the Distinguished Contribution Award to Xinhua News, CCTV, China News, HNNTV, Hainan Daily, Sanya TV, Sanya Daily, People.cn, Tianya.cn, Ai Dong Sports, to thanks their support for Sanya Serenity Coast during last year.

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Beautiful Sanya, sail the world. Congratulations once again to the crew of Sanya Serenity Coast! Thank you for the gripping racing and the outstanding teamwork!

Live in Sanya and want to have a lifechanging adventure of your own? Join the elite group of everyday people who have represented the city of Sanya whilst racing around the globe by taking part in the Clipper 2019-20 Race as part of the Sanya Ambassador Programme. You can follow via Facebook: ClipperRaceSanyaSerenityCoast.

Click to view the documentary:

http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMzgzMTk0NzM0OA==.html?spm=a2h3j.8428770.3416059.1