Jelik 5 to compete in China Cup 2010

by CCIR Media/Guy Nowell, Sail-World Asia on 11 Aug 2010 Competition in the IRC class for this year’s China Cup International Regatta just hotted up, with the entry of Frank Pong’s newly-acquired TP52 Jelik 5. Originally Alta Vita, the boat was designed by Laurie Davidson and built in 2001 by Cooksons.

Crew on board will be ten young sailors, all from mainland China. They have been training in Hong Kong, under the watchful eye of the owner. Frank Pong is a well-known sailor in Asian circles, and a long-time supporter of sailing in China. Frank has long cherished an ambition to train domestic (ie Chinese) sailors to race in the international regattas, and to further develop sailing in China.

There is no lack of promising young sailors in the team.

Liu Cheng Qi was one of the team members in China Team—the first-ever Chinese entry in the America’s Cup. Born in 1988, Liu was the youngest sailor at AC32, held in Valencia in 2007.

He is joined on board by Yan Yu Ye, who has crewed in the Shenzhen Universiade Sailing Team, and participated in the inaugural Mayor’s Cup Dalian-Qingdao International Regatta 2009, helping the team to score second overall.

Wu Shi Fu, a sailor from Guangdong province, scored a fourth place in the 2007 Asian Windsurfing Championships, in the NP event.

These young Chinese sailors are sure to be an inspiration for other young sailors in mainland China.

Full crew list:
Zhang Wei Zhong, Alan
Zhong Bing Xin, Ray
Wu Jing Hong, Kelvin
Li Si Zi, Sam
Liu Cheng Qi, Larry
Zhang Hua Bao, Boie
Wu Shi Fu, Stephen
Yan Yu Ye, Jason
Ge Hai Jun, Jack
Li Qing Yong, Andrew

For more information: www.2010.chncup.com