2014 - 15 Volvo Ocean Race - Qingdao arrives back in hometown
by Robert Penner on 9 Oct 2015
Guo Chuan Robert Penner
Volvo Ocean Race - Guo Chuan and his trimaran Qingdao China arrived back in his hometown of Qingdao last week. After 25 days of sailing on the sea since the departure from Murmansk, local media and fans waited for Qingdao China’s arrival early in the morning on September 27. Guo climbed to the top of the mast, lit fireworks while waving to fans cheering for him from dinghies and on land.
Amid crowds of people and media, Guo and his five elite crew, Jochen Krauth (France), Sergei Nizovtsev (Russia), Boris Herrmann (Germany), Quentin Monegier (France) and Tim Bastian Frank (Germany, media crew) took the stage.
Departing from Murmansk on September three, Qingdao China crossed the start line at 13.41 UTC and started the attempt to challenge the first non-stop sailing world record across the Arctic Ocean's Northeast Passage. It took her only 13 days to complete the 3240nm voyage and set a new world record before crossing the finish line on the Bering Strait at 16h45 UTC September 15.
When Guo Chuan and his crew arrived at Qingdao, they received the warmest welcome from local people. Red carpet under foot, garlands around their necks, and a traditional Chinese celebration team beating gongs and sounding drums next to the stage, they were hailed by the city of Qingdao as heroes.
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