Please select your home edition
Edition
Leaderboard FD July August September 2023

Volvo Ocean Race - Tears in the eye of the Tiger

by Volvo Ocean Race on 22 Dec 2011
Sanya’s Teng Jiang He, nicknamed ’Tiger’ Ian Roman/Volvo Ocean Race http://www.volvooceanrace.com
In the Volvo Ocean Race, Team Sanya have been dealt two damaging blows which resulted in two leg endings and though he can walk the walk and talk the talk, Sanya’s Teng Jiang He (nicknamed Tiger), admits that it is enough to make a grown man cry.

Speaking from Madagascar, Tiger said he felt a mix of emotions about the rigging failure that forced his team to suspend racing while they were leading, and detour to the island on Monday. Tiger, a sailing novice tasked mostly with the physically challenging task of grinding, said he had put his blood, sweat and now tears into getting the first sole Chinese entry to the front of the fleet.

The charismatic 37-year-old was almost lost for words when he was asked to describe what was going through his mind. 'It’s more than being shocked, especially when you were leading the fleet by more than 200 nautical miles,’’ he said. 'In the previous night we worked very hard in the strong winds up to 40 knots. I worked non-stop for 13 hours.'

'So when all work had to stop abruptly, some of us, all tough guys, can’t even hold off the tears.' Tiger said he had however counted his blessings because his team were close to refuge and did not lose their mast like Puma and Abu Dhabi did when they suffered rigging damage during Leg 1.

'If the incident had happened in the middle of the Indian Ocean, it would have been a very terrifying scenario,’’ he said. Looking ahead Tiger said he and his teammates were now focused on ensuring both Sanya and her crew are at their peak for the journey to their 'home' port.

He insisted the team were still 'motivated and confident' and would continue to give the race their all. 'The two incidents in the first two legs will not change our way to approach the following legs,’’ he said. 'If other teams exert 100 per cent of their efforts, we’ll make it 120 per cent. For the third leg to our home port Sanya, the team will absolutely sail with all our might.'

Volvo Ocean Race website
Doyle_SailWorld_728X90px_GP BOTTOMArmstrong 728x90 - Wing FG Board Range - BOTTOMPredictWind - Routing 728x90 BOTTOM

Related Articles

Foiling Sport Congress gathers global players
To shape the Future of Foiling Last week, Malcesine hosted the first-ever Foiling Sport Congress — a by-invitation event organised to foster an in-depth discussion on the current state and future developments of foiling across all disciplines.
Posted today at 5:59 am
Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup Day 3
The best female wave sailors in the world showcase their skills on the global stage After the men had taken centre stage for the opening two days of the 2025 Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup, today was the day for the best female wave sailors in the world to showcase their skills on the global stage.
Posted today at 4:11 am
Transpac Onboard Episode 4
Anything Can Happen at Sea All Transpac 2025 competitors are now at sea and actively racing to Hawaii. We take a look at the Pasha Live Race Tracker and talk about the significant wind hole confronting a contingent of competitors.
Posted today at 3:06 am
Stops & re-starts in first two legs of AEGEAN 600
A tough first night and early morning spent fighting zephyrs getting through the Cyclades After a beautiful breezy start yesterday, but a tough first night and early morning spent fighting zephyrs getting through the Cyclades, at the end of today's daylight the AEGEAN 600 fleet is back on the move.
Posted on 7 Jul
Marblehead to Halifax Race Update
The front-runners are pushing hard toward the finish After nearly 24 hours at sea, the front-runners of the Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race are pushing hard toward the finish. Temptation/Oakcliff leads the fleet in both elapsed and corrected time, with Boudicca – Gill Race Team close behind.
Posted on 7 Jul
British Classic Week Day 1
Northerly winds gusting 22 knots make for a brisk start Day one at British Classic Week in Cowes saw fast-paced racing around the cans sponsored by Spirit Yachts for over 50 classic and modern classic yachts.
Posted on 7 Jul
International Moth Worlds Opening Ceremony
137 sailors from 25 nations have gathered, featuring some of the biggest names in sailing After weeks of preparation and an intense lead-up, the 2025 Moth World Championship is ready to get under way. Official racing begins tomorrow, 8 July, on the waters of Lake Garda, with the event hosted by Fraglia Vela Malcesine.
Posted on 7 Jul
iQFOiL Worlds a Aarhus day 2
No racing, but spirits stay high in Aarhus Day 2 of the iQFOiL World Championship in Aarhus tested the patience of sailors, coaches, and the Race Committee alike, as the wind refused to settle across the bay.
Posted on 7 Jul
Foiling Frenzy at Fraglia Vela Malcesine
The Moth Worlds at Lake Garda are something else! The Moth Worlds at Lake Garda are something else! Regardless of where sailors are in their careers, or the reputation they have, everyone wants to be there and have a tilt at the title.
Posted on 7 Jul
Protect Your Skin, Stay Out Longer
Rooster know that long days on the water are what summer is all about At Rooster, we know that long days on the water are what summer is all about. But with the sun high and strong, protecting your skin is just as important as protecting your kit.
Posted on 7 Jul