Sanya crew ready for the Clipper 2019-20 Race, naming ceremony held

On August 30^th, 2019, a naming ceremony for team Sanya’s boat – Visit Sanya, China — was held at St. Katharine Docks, London.

Attendees included Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, founder of the Clipper Round-the-World Race, Mr. Seumas Kellock, skipper of the Sanya team, all crew members from the Sanya team, and their family members.

Performers representing Sanya’s Li ethnic group played music on nose flutes and tree leaves, leaving the audience mesmerized.

Sanya crew member Afshin said he was deeply impressed by the unique performances and would tell more relatives and friends about Sanya’s tropical charm.

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston extended his best wishes to the sailors, who will soon embark on a 40,000 nautical-mile global route, to include 15 stopovers in Sanya, Zhuhai, and Qingdao. He noted that last year’s race helped create a strong cooperative relationship between Sanya and the Clipper Round-the-World Race, and that this year’s event is sure to create more opportunities for Sanya.

During the event, Sanya team skipper Seumas Kellock gave an interview to London-stationed CCTV reporters, expressing his sense of responsibility and determination to promote Sanya during the voyage.

After the naming ceremony, a Li-minority artist performed handmade brocade-making at the Sanya marquee, which attracted the admiration of visitors from all over the world.