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There is only 40 days to go until the Clipper 2019-20 Round the World Yacht Race Sanya Stopover, welcoming a triumphant Visit Sanya, China team into its home port. From 10 to 21 February 2020, Sanya will warmly welcome the event’s international crew, their families, and race organisers from Clipper 2019-20 Round the World Yacht Race and show them the charm of beautiful Sanya. Let’s take a peek at the promotional video.

The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is the longest sailing race in the world, and is also recognised as one of the toughest endurance challenges. Dubbed, the “most influential sailing race in the world” and the largest non-professional round the world yacht race, every Clipper Round the World Yacht Race lasts for eleven months and covers five oceans and six continents, which has become more than a  sports competition. It is a comprehensive event and a cultural activity which demonstrates the history, spirit and human values of each host city, and also an embodiment of the comprehensive strength of a country or region.

In 1995, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston first proposed to establish the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race with the intention of involving more people in sailing activities. This idea was supported by a great deal of navigators and sailing enthusiasts. The activity was later named The Clipper Race.

At 13:45, June 14, 1968, Sir Robin bid farewell to his parents and a comfortable life on land, and set sail into the unknown.. Just like what people have talked about for years, this was an unbelievable 312 days which made him the winner of The Sunday Times Golden Globe Race  and also the first man that had ever finished a solo non-stop round the world sailing journey. Sir Robin encountered tremendous challenges in his 30000-mile journey on the sea, such as storms and waves, as well as sharks threatening his life when he was repairing his boat in the sea. During this journey, which lasted for seven months,  he didn’t have anyone to talk to. Moreover, he had to face the danger of losing his way.

This sailing race Sir Robin participated in during 1968 to 1969 laid the foundation for his establishment of Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. He said, “I feel it is all worth it. Whenever a sailor told me he partook in the race under the inspiration of me. Clipper Round the World Yacht Race brings different experiences to different people. I am very proud about it.”

The overall length of the Clipper 2019-20 Round the World Yacht Race is 41,165 nautical miles. Sailors set sail from London, and will be back to the UK in August 2020 after sailing for nearly a year.

This is the second time Visit Sanya, China has represented  Sanya to partake in Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. In the last edition of the race, the Visit Sanya, China team set sail from Liverpool, under the leadership of Skipper Wendy Tuck, and sailed across the Atlantic, the Indian Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean with no fear of stormy seas and severe weather, making her team the most influential amateur crew in the world. Over the last 20 year since the race was founded, her crew was the first Chinese team that won the championship, writing a new chapter of China’s sailing field.

The captain of Visit Sanya, China this season is Seumas Kellock from Scotland, the youngest captain among all in this season. The crew of Visit Sanya, China consists of 60 sailors from 16 countries and regions, including 9 global sailors, as well as 18 Sanya ambassador crew members (including two reserve crew memners) and a global media berther crew member from Sanya. They will promote thefascinating tropical Chinese resort to all stopovers around the world and continue the glory of Visit Sanya, China with the dream of all Chinese sailors and expectations of the citizens of Sanya.

In this edition, Visit Sanya, China will once again sail tofive continents, across four oceans, and visit over ten countries and cities across the world, showing the flourish of China’s sailing sport and Sanya’s civilization, and bringing the new opportunity of constructing Hainan Free Trade Port to the world.