China Team

[Source: Louis Vuitton Pacific Series] AC China Team have announced that 2007 World Match Racing Champion Ian Williams has signed on to be the new skipper of China Team America’s Cup program for the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series in Auckland, New Zealand, in 2009.

With his 2007 title Williams became the first Englishman to win the World Match Racing Tour title in the event’s 19 year history. He is at the top of the leaderboard again in 2008, as the Tour heads to its final event in Malaysia in December, and is ranked Number Two in the world by the International Sailing Federation.

“China Team was looking for a young dynamic sailor with the right combination of experience, enthusiasm, attitude and leadership skills to get the program going in the right direction,” said Stuart James, Executive Director of China Team Sailing. “Ian is a guy around whom we can build a great program.”

Williams will play an instrumental role in the overall development of the team, its sailors and the development of AC China Team’s domestic sailing program. AC China Team is building globally competitive sailing teams, comprising Chinese and foreign sailors, to compete in different events around the world. AC China Team will also develop sailing events in China for international competition in Chinese waters.

“I am very excited to be joining China Team for the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series. The regatta promises some excellent racing and it is a fantastic opportunity for the new team to start building towards the next multi-challenger America’s Cup,” said Ian Williams. “China has a strong and proud history in sailing and I hope that our participation in this and future regattas can assist in making China a great sailing nation once again”

Team Owner Wang Chaoyong commented: “Our relationship with Ian Williams allows us to take AC China Team to the next level as we seek to develop China’s team sailing community, and its ability to compete in international waters. I am proud to be able to continue to support this outstanding international sailing program.”

In addition to this new role Williams will be continuing his current position as Bahrain Team Pindar’s match racing skipper.

Original post by noreply@blogger.com (Valencia Sailing) and software by Elliott Back

Given the limbo the 33rd America’s Cup is currently in and the very uncertain future, it shouldn’t surprise anyone the fact that teams that took part in the previous editions have decided not to enter this time, or at least put their plans on hold.

One of them seems to be China Team, the first ever challenger from China, that apparently moved most of their assets out of their base in Port America’s Cup into a supermarket parking lot. They are now about half a mile from their previous base, right in the middle of one of Valencia’s main avenues.

This doesn’t necessarily mean they are finished but it is a clear sign their return in the world’s oldest sports competition is not imminent. One shouldn’t forget that even in the previous edition, defined by many as the best ever, the Chinese team had encountered severe problems in securing adequate funding, so it’s safe to assume this time it will even be harder.

As one can easily observe from the photos, the Chinese team have all their three ACC yachts, two masts, two speed boats and around a dozen containers with all their physical assets.

China Team’s assets are stored in a supermarket parking lot. Valencia, 27 November 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

China Team’s assets are stored in a supermarket parking lot. Valencia, 27 November 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Original post by Valencia Sailing and software by Elliott Back