Sail-World.com : Guo Chuan becomes first Chinese solo non-stop circumnavigator

News Home

Cruising

Photo Gallery

Video Gallery

Sail-World.com : Guo Chuan becomes first Chinese solo non-stop circumnavigator

Guo Chuan becomes first Chinese solo non-stop circumnavigator

'Guo Chuan - first Chinese solo non-stop circumnavigator - arrives home in Qingdao' Xinhua - China Daily

China's Guo Chuan is celebrating with his world record in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, April 5, 2013.

Guo sailed back home on Friday morning to become the first Chinese to successfully circumnavigate the globe singlehanded. Aboard his Class40 yacht, 48-year-old Guo travelled about 21,600 nautical miles in 138 days before he returned to his hometown of Qingdao, where he set off on November 18 last year.

Guo Chuan on Friday became the first sailor from China to complete a non-stop solo circumnavigation of the globe. Aboard a 40-foot (12.2 meters) monohull, the 48-year old returned to the northeastern port city of Qingdao, his home town, after a gruelling 138-day, 21,600-nautical-mile voyage.

Guo jumped into the sea for celebration before his yacht pulled over, and swam towards the dock to meet his wife and sons, who joined hundreds of local citizens and sports officials at a welcome ceremony. 'I am so happy that I can again see so many people, so many people who care about me,' said Guo, who knelt down as soon as he stepped on land with tears streaming down his cheeks.

'I can't even believe I made it. If this is real, I am the happiest man in the world. I don't have to eat those awful dehydrofrozen food any more, and I can sleep as long as I want while not worrying about winds and fishing nets. I don't have to wash my hair with seawater either. And instead I can enjoy a hot shower,' he added.

As Thursday was Ching Ming Festival (Grave-Sweeping Day), a traditional festival when Chinese mourn their deceased family members, Guo paid homage to his late father after his Odyssey-like adventure. 'I hope he can share the moment with me. He passed away two years ago when I was training in France. I wanted to rush home to see him the last time but I did not make it. I wish he could see me today. I think he would understand in the other world and feel happy about me,' said a sobbing Guo.

Guo Chuan - first Chinese solo non-stop circumnavigator - arrives home in Qingdao - Xinhua - China Daily

Guo had expected to finish the circumnavigation within 125 days but was forced to prolong his journey following a string of hard times on board, ranging from equipment failures, a fishing net barrage off the Chinese coast, a fast-moving tropical storm and falling into an area of no wind a few days after entering the southern hemisphere.

On New Year's Day, Guo climbed up the six-story-high mast to repair the sail. 'I think I should have done more sail-testing before setting off. This is a lesson,' Guo said. 'Another lesson I should learn is to bring more delicious food, because I don't want to be in semi-starvation any more during my next sailing adventure.'

Guo, whose childhood dream was becoming a scientist, was also philosophical in thanking the wind. 'I want to thank the wind for being my enemy as well as my friend. It is the wind that keeps me company all the time. It challenges me, but also brings me home,' he said.

After departing from Qingdao, Guo sailed south and east across the Pacific Ocean to Cape Horn in Chile, sailed into the Atlantic Ocean, then went into the Indian Ocean via the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa before passing through the Sunda Strait in Indonesia to return to Qingdao.

Guo is the first and only professional offshore sailor in China. He is also the first Chinese to take part in the Clipper Round the World in 2006 and the Volvo Ocean Race as the media crew member on Green Dragon from 2008 to 2009. In 2011 he became the first Chinese to participate in the Mini Transat sailing event.

Guo Chuan - first Chinese solo non-stop circumnavigator - arrives home in Qingdao - Xinhua - China Daily

by Xinhua

Tweet

Click on the FB Like link to post this story to your FB wall

http://www.sail-world.com/index.cfm?nid=108174

3:39 AM Sat 6 Apr 2013GMT

Click here for printer friendly version
Click here to send us feedback or comments about this story.

News - USA and the World

Volvo Ocean Race: Vestas Wind Leg 4 Finish - Sanya - Live Video by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World.com/nz

Catch the live coverage of the Leg 4 Finish in Auckland, presented by Team Vestas Wind. Check the video timer for a countdown to the start of coverage and the expected race finish time ... [more]

America's Cup: Artemis Racing lines up against Oracle Team USA - Video by John Navas

America's Cup Defender Oracle Team USA and Challenger, Artemis Racing lined up for a series of try-outs on San Francisco Bay. Videographer John Navas was shoreside with a new high resolution video camera and provided these videos of the training sessions and hook-ups. ... [more]

High Performance Yacht Design conference during Volvo OR stopover by Graeme Finch

The HPYD conference is jointly organised by The Royal Institution of Naval Architects (NZ) and The University of Auckland and will be held at the Marine Event Centre in Auckland to coincide with the Volvo Ocean Race stopover. It attracts some of the world’s most preeminent yacht designers and is recognised as one of the top three conferences in this area internationally. ... [more]

Volvo Ocean Race: Ryan Houston - How Alvimedica's chemistry works *Feature by Richard Gladwell/Sail-World.com NZL

Ryan Houston is a watch captain aboard Team Alvimedica. He sailed in two previous editions of the Volvo Ocean Race – in 2008-09 aboard Delta Lloyd and 2011-12 on the incident plagued Volvo 70, Sanya. With the switch to the one design, ruggedly constructed Volvo 65 for this race many of the issues that bedevilled the competitors and organisers in the previous races appear to have been resolved. ... [more]

Volvo Ocean Race: Dave Swete - Alvimedica's race so far *Feature by Richard Gladwell/Sail-World.com NZL

The Volvo Ocean Race and its forerunner, the Whitbread Round the World Race, used to be dominated by Kiwi crews. In the current edition, there are just three New Zealanders competing. Two of those are on Team Alvimedica, the US and Turkish flagged entry. ... [more]

One Ton Revival: New sails by Doyle for Bouzaid's Rainbow II by Ellie Brade

Rainbow II is one of the most iconic yachts in New Zealand sailing history. Built and skippered by Chris Bouzaid, her win in the One Ton Cup in 1969 was New Zealand’s first big international sailing win. Doyle Sails NZ was commissioned to build the new sails for the iconic Rainbow II with design work by Chris’ son Richard ... [more]

Volvo Ocean Race: Team Alvimedica hopes to use Coastal Classic tricks *Feature by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World.com NZL

Sail-World’s NZ Editor, Richard Gladwell spoke with David Swete one of three New Zealand crew in the 2014-15 Volvo Ocean Race Swete was reporting in from Team Alvimedica the US and Turkish flagged entry, currently lying in fourth place on leg 4 of the race from Sanya China to Auckand. ... [more]

AC 45 Turbo Training - Oracle Team USA images by pressure-drop.us by pressure-drop.us

Oracle Team USA AC45 Turbo Feb 25 Training images provided by pressure-drop.us. Flat flood conditions and winds 12-18 and then picking up late in the day. Boat is matching the olars established with the AC 72's. ... [more]

America's Cup: Emirates Team New Zealand gears up on less money *Feature by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World.com NZL

Emirates Team New Zealand has pushed the start button on their campaign for the 35th America's Cup, with a budget that has been reduced by an estimated 20% from the San Francisco campaign. The decision to relocate the Venue for the Match to the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda has resulted in reduced attractiveness to sponsors, which in turn has led to cuts in the program ... [more]

Volvo Ocean Race – The race tightens as New Zealand looms by Volvo Ocean Race

Volvo Ocean Race 2015 – Dongfeng has pulled another mile from Abu Dhabi, and MAPFRE looks like they have been making some good gains on the two leading boats. ... [more]

AWT Goya Pro Cabo Verde kicks off in style! by American Windsurfing Tour

Last night saw the Opening Party for the Goya Cabo Verde Pro contest here on the beautiful island of Sal. In attendance were some of the biggest names in windsurfing along with local watermen, business men and dignitaries. The true spirit of the American Windsurfing Tour came out in force which was both mirrored and complimented by the spirit of this island ... [more]

Barcelona World Race - Two different worlds separated by Cape Horn by Barcelona World Race

With Cheminées Poujoulat making good progress up the Atlantic, making close to 18kts, 120 miles SW of the Falklands, Cape Horn marks the frontier between the two different worlds inhabited by skippers on the Barcelona World Race. ... [more]

America's Cup: Barker offered non-sailing role by Emirates team NZ by Richard Gladwell/Sail-World.com NZL

Emirates Team New Zealand has announced a team restructuring ahead on next week's expected announcement that the Qualifier for the 2017 America's Cup will be held in Auckland. The statement issued by the team early this afternoon, indicates the team has secured substantial funding and sponsorship for its 2017 campaign. ... [more]

2015 CYC Midwinters Race – Pictures by pressure-drop.us by pressure-drop.us

2015 CYC Midwinters Race – Pictures by pressure-drop.us ... [more]

CYC Midwinters Racing – Bring On The Breeze! – Overall by pressure-drop.us

CYC Midwinters Racing – 'Mid Winter racing is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are gonna get' ~Forrest Gump~Skipper of SS Jenny ... [more]

Laser World Championship – Over 2000 sailors to race in Kingston by kingstonlaserworlds2015.com

Laser Standard Men’s World Championships (June 29-July 8), the Laser Masters World Championships (July 10-18), and the Laser Radial Youth World Championships (August 14-20) are being hosted by the CORK. ... [more]

Volvo Ocean Race: Barkow and Lush - from the Olympics to the Volvo *Feature by Steve Rosenberg

Kaenon's Steve Rosenberg talks with Team SCA crew members Sally Barkow and Annie Lush before the start of Leg 4 of the Volvo Ocean Race. Both are former Olympic match racers, who have switched to ocean racing. Both are wearing the new prescription Kaenon sunglasses in the 40,000nm race around the world. ... [more]

Volvo Ocean Race 2015 – Its anyone's race - Leg 4 to Auckland by Volvo Ocean Race

Volvo Ocean Race 2015 – Overnight Ian Walker reported getting ahead of Charles Caudrelier’s Dongfeng only to have Mother Nature take it all back again, getting caught under a rain cloud in light winds ... [more]

Barcelona World Race - A time for extra care and caution by Barcelona World Race

Barcelona World Race - Mythical, revered, renowned, legendary.....but above all Cape Horn is a time for extra care and caution. While observers and race fans may be poised to share and enjoy the passage of the race leaders Cheminées Poujoulat this Tuesday evening, Swiss co-skipper Bernard Stamm of race leaders Cheminées Poujoulat was clear that there will be little time for celebration ... [more]

2015 RORC Caribbean 600 - Phaedo3 breaks record by Trish Jenkins

Lloyd Thornburg's MOD 70, Phaedo3 crossed the finish line in Antigua at 20:35:30 AST on Tuesday 24th February 2015 in an elapsed time of 1 day, 9 hours, 35 minutes and 30 seconds. ... [more]

Barcelona World Race - Cheminées Poujoulat pass Cape Horn by Barcelona World Race

Barcelona World Race - Cheminées Poujoulat, which has lead the two handed round the world race for 39 days, has passed Cape Horn (67°15 11 W) at 01:00 UTC (02:00 Barcelona time, 22:00 Chilean time). ... [more]

2015 RORC Caribbean 600 - Records predicted to tumble + Video by Trish Jenkins

For the seventh edition of the RORC Caribbean 600 records are predicted to tumble, which has one of the most spectacular line ups of high performance boats racing anywhere in the world. ... [more]

2015 ISAF Women’s Match Racing World Championship - NOR released by ISAF

2015 ISAF Women's Match Racing World Championship - The Notice of Race for the 2015 ISAF Women’s Match Racing World Championship has been released. Set to be held in Middelfart, Denmark from 8-12 July, the 2015 edition of the Women’s Match Race Worlds will welcome the world’s finest female match racers as they fight for the title. ... [more]

Asher Otto and Itchy Feet to open up the Caribbean Jam night by St. Maarten Heineken Regatta

Many exciting changes have been implemented this year for the 35th St.Maarten Heineken Regatta, and one of those will be the Saturday night party, which will take place on Kim Sha Beach in Simpson Bay. This evening promises to be a night filled with undeniable sex appeal and a line up that boasts not one but two powerful female performers. ... [more]

RS Sailing and BIC Sport North America team up for sailing programs by RS Sailing

RS Sailing and BIC Sport North America announce a joint effort to promote a new-age pathway for kids to find their passion for sailing. The goal is to provide a more formalized learning track parallel to what has been done traditionally, and excite youth sailors with modern sailing craft. ... [more]

RORC Caribbean 600 – Record pace on Day 2 by RORC Event Press

On day 2 of the RORC Caribbean 600 by dawn the vast majority of the 64-strong fleet were negotiating the chicane of islands to the northern end of the course, weaving through the stunning islands of Saba, St.Martin and St.Barths. However Lloyd Thornburg's MOD 70, Phaedo3, was literally miles ahead of the fleet. ... [more]

Port of Los Angeles Harbor Cup - About to begin by Jeremy Leonard, Los Angeles

Ten of the best collegiate sailing teams from across country will descend on Los Angeles Yacht Club® March 13 through15 to test their sailing prowess as they battle it out for the prestigious Port of Los Angeles Harbor Cup Trophy. This perpetual trophy was deeded to Los Angeles Yacht Club by Port of Los Angeles in 2008, to encourage, '…young men and women to enjoy benefits of competitive sailing.' ... [more]

10 tips from BoatUS for owners and renters by BoatUS

Airbnb may a popular 'peer-to-peer' lodging site on the web, but if you want to rent a boat in your local area or away, you’ve got options, too. Boatbound.com, Boatsetter.com and Cruzin.com are just a few of the new crop of online websites offering a chance to rent a boat for the day or weekend. ... [more]

Aquece Rio International Sailing Regatta – Notice of Race online by ISAF

2015 Aquece Rio International Sailing Regatta – The Notice of Race, the Olympic Test Event, has been published. The Aquece Rio – International Sailing Regatta 2015 is the second of two Rio 2016 Olympic Test Events with the first being held in 2014. Rio will welcome sailors once again from 13-22 August 2015 with racing taking place inside and outside of Guanabara Bay. ... [more]

2015 CYC Mid Winters images by h20shots by Erik Simonson

2015 CYC Mid Winters images by h20shots ... [more]

Adventures of a Sailor Girl: News and interviews from February 23 show by Sail-World

If you missed this week's edition of Adventures of a Sailor Girl, listen to the replay below. Nic talks with: Scott Babbage, Iain Murray on 18fter and also the America's Cup, Seve Jarvin and many more ... [more]

Volvo Ocean Race: Ryan Houston looking forward to his Kiwi home by Team Alvimedica

Kiwi sailor Ryan Houston has grown up on this edition of the Volvo Ocean Race as he took on the role as Watch Captain for Team Alvimedica. His career as a sailor is evolving as he gets more involved in the leadership and decision-making onboard Alvimedica. Learn about the ‘Day in the Life’ of a Watch Captain in the Volvo Ocean Race. ... [more]

Volvo Ocean Race: Wislang expected to lead Kiwis home after fast ride by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World.com NZL

Latest predictions for the finish of Leg 4 of the Volvo Ocean Race are all indicating a finish time between 1000hrs and 1400hrs on Saturday February 28. For one of only three Kiwi crew members in the Volvo Ocean Race, Abu Dhabi's Daryl Wislang looks like being the first in the queue at the piecart, when the boats reach Auckland. ... [more]