March 7, 2008
by China Cup International Regatta
7 Mar |
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China Cup International Regatta, (CCIR) the world’s newest and most ambitious sailing festival, today (Friday 7 March) announced the purchase of 20 new Beneteau First 40.7s for this year’s October event.
In a deal signed in Paris, France, China Cup said the purchase signaled its intention to make future years’ racing in Shenzhen, Southern China even bigger and better by attracting more experienced international crews to the one design class event.
China Cup bought ten 40.7s for the inaugural event last year which attracted more than 60 teams representing 14 countries and regions from around the world. Three days of racing saw Australian Ray Roberts lead his team Quantum Racing to victory.
This year’s regatta will include a Hong Kong – Shenzhen passage race, with the support of the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, windward/leeward and islands races in Daya Bay, Shenzhen from October 24 to 27.
With 30 First 40.7s available for this year, the search is now on for more international and experienced crews to come forward to charter them said David Zhong, Deputy Executive Secretary-General of the CCIR organizing committee.
“We said last year we would continue to increase investment in building the China Cup into a major international sailing event and I am delighted to be able to announce this deal with our Global Strategic Partner Beneteau.
“Crews who took part last year have told us how much they valued the First 40.7 as the regatta’s one design class yacht and we are proud to be building an even bigger fleet.”
Beneteau will become ‘Global Strategic Partner’ of China Cup for five consecutive years to 2012, demonstrating the China Cup’s brand potential.
As China Cup’s Global Strategic Partner, Beneteau will arrange for experienced racing crews from around the world to participate in the China Cup in the yachts and will also help train Chinese sailors.
Beneteau will also be given the right to award a Beneteau Trophy at the China Cup during the five-year period.
David Zhong said: “This agreement brings great benefits to both parties and forms the basis for building a great future for the China Cup International Regatta over the next five years.
“China Cup represents China’s entry into international big boat sailing events after centuries of the country turning its back to the oceans. The inaugural China Cup International Regatta was the first, large, prestigious international regatta held by the Chinese.
“Our initial partnership last year with Beneteau got the regatta off to a great start and we all share the vision of creating a professional international racing event as good as any in the world.”
Li Quanhai, Vice Chairman of the Chinese Yachting Association said the China Cup demonstrated China’s rapidly-growing enthusiasm for sailing sports.
“With the fast and sustained growth of the Chinese economy over the past 30 years, coastal areas have prospered and laid a solid foundation for the development of sailing and yachting. With the number of yachts purchased increasing each year, Shenzhen ranks first in China’s sailboat and yacht market. What many in the west might not also realize is that Chinese enthusiasts are successful entrepreneurs in their 30s and 40s with no history of sailing who are willing to pay handsomely to join and enjoy the sport.”
Photographs of the signing ceremony will be available from China Cup – details below.
Notes to editors:
1. China Cup International Regatta is organized by the Chinese Yachting Association and the Executive Authority of the Organizing Committee of the 26th Summer Universiade (Shenzhen) and supported by the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club.
2. The inaugural event in October 2007 attracted sailors representing more than 60 teams from 14 countries and regions around the world including the USA, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, France, Denmark, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates and Japan.
3. Together with passage, in-shore races and islands race the regatta includes a range of cultural events including an art exhibition, fashion show, music concert and economic forum.
4. For further information please contact Keith Crane, Head of International Media, 00 86 755 8835 3518 (GMT +8), keith@chncup.com or visit www.chncup.com
