After a nail-biting end to a race where it really was anyone’s for the taking right up to the Finish Line, it is Qingdao that has taken the top spot on Race 7: Endless Discovery in Ha Long Bay and celebrates its first podium of the edition.
The team, representing the Chinese sailing city of Qingdao, had held on tightly to first place for near on the past week of racing, but in the early hours of the morning local time the wind all but stopped, and the gap between Qingdao and chasing boats Zhuhaiand UNICEF closed in.
A narrow Finish Line, and better wind for the boats to the east and west meant that Skipper Philip Quinn and AQP Henry Hallatt had to continue to push the team and boat hard to maintain its lead. However the plan held together and on the debut race for the duo, and Qingdao proudly sailed over the line in first place at 00:58:04 UTC.
Image: Qingdao crew celebrate their first win
With the Chinese boat celebrating the Chinese New Year earlier in this very race, some may say the turn to the Year of the Dragon has brought the fighting spirit out on board.
There were definitely ecstatic faces on board as Qingdao sailed into the Ha Long International Cruise Port, a first time Host Port on the Clipper Race, earlier this afternoon. Set against the bay’s iconic rock formations and emerald-green seas, the team was greeted by friends, family, and supporters and Mr Hiep, the Managing Director of Ha Long International Cruise Port who stepped on board to gift the team flowers.
Image: Qingdao sails into Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam
It was an obligatory Champagne spray for the team, before enjoying a cold drink and heading off to enjoy some well-deserved downtime in the beautiful Vietnam
