China have long-term plans for America's Cup

Sports / Feature and Column

 China have long-term plans for America's Cup
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-10-04 15:06

VALENCIA, Spain, Oct 4 - Two years ago, China had not even dreamed of
entering the race for the America's Cup.

This year they mounted their first challenge for sailing's most
prestigious prize. While they limped in last, the team were happy to have
made the first faltering efforts in a long-term plan for more Chinese
sporting stardom.

"I don't mind if we come bottom," said syndicate head Wang Chaoyong.

"The most important thing for China Team is to promote public interest in
sailing in China. Second is to build a platform for us to be a stronger,
better team in the future."

The America's Cup has traditionally been seen as an elitist sport with
rich syndicates from the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Italy
pumping millions of dollars into their challenges.

The 2007 Cup, which is being organised more along the lines of a major
sporting event than a regatta, will be more international with boats from
Germany, Spain, South Africa and China joining the race to take on the
Swiss defenders Alinghi.

"It all dates back to 2004 when the America's Cup Management team invited
me to a regatta in Marseille and said China should develop a team to make
it a truly global event," Wang said.

He took the idea home and quickly won backing from the government and
yachting association who saw the high-skill, high-profile event as a
boost to China's international image.

FRENCH TEAM

That left Wang with the problem of building up a team in three years to
be ready for the Louis Vuitton Cup that will decide the America's Cup
challenger in Valencia next June.

Added to that was the problem that most Chinese sailors are now deeply
involved in preparing for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Rather than scrabble around for more sailors, build a boat from scratch
and put together an on-land team to work on technology and strategy, Wang
did a deal with the French team Le Defi which challenged for the Cup in
2000 and 2003.

"It's a very exciting long-term project. We're joining young Chinese
talent with experienced Western sailors not just to take part in the Cup
but to make a contribution to the sport in China," said skipper Pierre
Mas, now on his third challenge.

Mas is spending time in China at sailing camps to help direct some of
Beijing's sporting push towards the open sea.

Since China Team was set up last year, Mas and his crew have picked eight
Asians to be part of the 25-man sailing team -- five from China, two from
Singapore and one from Malaysia.

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