16 Chinese crew training in Britain for world's longest ocean race challenge

16 Chinese amateur sailors were in an intensive training in Britain before they race in the world's longest ocean yacht challenge.

They will represent China's sailing city of Qingdao in the 2015-16 edition of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, which sets sail on 30 August from London.

It is the largest contingent of Chinese crew to participate in a single edition of the race and the Clipper 2015-16 Race marks the sixth time Qingdao has entered the biennial race, making it the longest ever consecutive team partnership in the event's history.

The 40,000 mile Clipper Race is the world's longest ocean race and is uniquely for amateur sailors under the command of professional skippers.

Qingdao team skipper Igor Gotlibovych, praised the ability of his Chinese crew members, saying: "The Qingdao Ambassadors have impressed me greatly with their professionalism, eagerness and positive attitudes. The Clipper Race training is notoriously tough but they have fully embraced the experience and I'm looking forward to welcoming them back on board during the race."

The 16 crew members, who were selected during a tough application process and trial in Qingdao in January, have been split into two groups of eight to receive their intensive 4-week training programme at the Clipper Race headquarters in Gosport, Portsmouth Harbour.

The 16 ambassadors include eight women, and range from age 21 to 49. They also represent a wide range of professions which include an air steward, a professor, students, and an air medic, among more.

Chen Jie, 41, from Beijing, has a master's degree and works for BMW in China. Chen is an experienced dinghy sailor and has competed in many domestic sailing events.\

She said: "I have really enjoyed the Clipper Race training. From Levels 1 to 4, the offshore training has been excellent and we've had great skippers leading us and crew to train alongside. Sailing is not only about enjoying the sport, but also to learn and understand how you get on with other people and nature, and learning to respect others.

The Clipper Race fleet consists of twelve identically matched 70-foot ocean racing yachts which were built in Qingdao, China in 2012 and participated for the first time in the 2013-14 edition. They have proved to be tough and capable ocean racers.

The Clipper 2015-16 Race sets sail on 30 August from London and takes almost a year to complete. Endit