Qingdao Mazarin Cup powered by Extreme Sailing Series™: What the Sailors said

Twelve international Flying Phantom teams are raring to race off the start line in Qingdao today, for the city’s first ever Flying Phantom event. Expecting shifty and gusty conditions with plenty of breeze in between, the sailors are anticipating some dramatic racing.

Sunday 30th September 2018

Twelve international Flying Phantom teams are raring to race off the start line in Qingdao today, for the city’s first ever Flying Phantom event. Expecting shifty and gusty conditions with plenty of breeze in between, the sailors are anticipating some dramatic racing.

Here’s what they said at the event’s official Press Conference…

“It’s an absolute honour to be sailing for the Chinese team, especially here in Qingdao, the home of Chinese sailing. Although I’m only one of two girls sailing at this event, there’s no reason why female sailors can’t top the podium. Hopefully we’ll prove that female sailors really can do well at these events.”
- Annabel Vose, Crew for Team Qingdao

“Most people I speak to seem to think the wind in Qingdao is quite light, but this week there has been very strong wind around. It’s going to give the racing days here some more variety in terms of conditions. Today we have a lot of wind which could make things quite unstable.”
- Rob Partridge, Helm for Agiplast Compounding

“This is my first time sailing in Qingdao but I’ve been here many times with the Extreme Sailing Series™. It is an amazing venue for sailing, for media, for the whole package.”
- Hugo Le Pomellec, Crew for Black Flag Racing

“I remember watching the Olympic sailing in Qingdao in 2008. I was 12 years old and I have really really vivid memories of it all. It was really windy, and watching my Olympic heroes have to deal with the conditions was something that will stay with me forever. Actually watching the 49ers inspired me to train for the Olympics myself, but I now sail a Nacra 17. It’s a bit similar to a Flying Phantom. Hopefully one day I’ll be able to go to the Olympics myself.”
- Micah Wilkinson, Crew for Hamilton Huas

“I was on the Extreme Sailing Series in Barcelona in June but I was sailing the GC32 then. The Flying Phantom is quite different. It’s exciting to sail on the other side of the world here in Qingdao. It’s definitely going to be windy! This summer I’ve been sailing the Nacra 17 so hopefully that will have prepared me for this event.”
- Oriol Mahiques, Crew for Spanish Impulse

For Flying Frogs helm, Pierre Le Clainche, sailing in Qingdao has a deeper meaning.

“I was with Red Bull Sailing Team in Qingdao a few years ago and I had a really bad accident. The rope got caught around my arm as the boat was moving away. It severed my nerves, my artery, it broke everything and I couldn’t use my arm. I was taken to the hospital here in Qingdao for emergency surgery. The surgeon here saved my life by doing a graft from my right leg to my left arm. It was a bad accident but in the end, after many months of rehabilitation, I was able to use my arm again as though nothing had happened. I am very grateful to the hospital here and the surgeon who saved my life.”

Racing is due to start in Fushan Bay from 13:15 local time. Follow the Extreme Sailing Series Facebook and Twitter for updates.