This will be the seventh time the Clipper Race has included Qingdao as a Host Port on its global racing route, with the city being the longest serving partner of the race.

For the first time, Clipper Race crews will berth at the newly constructed Wanda Yacht Club, a state of the art facility in western Qingdao which demonstrates how the sailing industry has expanded in China's Sailing City in the ten years since hosting the Beijing Olympic Games Sailing Events.

Ji Gaoshang, general director of Qingdao municipal sport bureau and executive secretary of Qingdao Major International Sailing Events(Festivals) Organizing Committee, said, "I sincerely wish every team a safe and spectacular journey in Race 8: The Sailing City Qingdao Cup!

"This will be the Clipper Race's seventh visit to Qingdao, and our team, as always, will present a series of spectacular human and cultural events. We look forward to welcoming teams of ocean warriors, especially Team Qingdao, home to our energetic and fabulous 'Sailing City'."

The Qingdao team is currently in second place and one point below the leaders Sanya Serenity Coast in the overall standings after securing third in the races to Sydney and Sanya.

Speaking shortly before the race started in Sanya, Qingdao Skipper Chris Kobusch said, "The race will be great. We met the Qingdao delegation in Sanya and I think they are really excited to see us, as are we to get into our home port."

"The third place podium into Sanya was a great motivation. There is a little bit of pressure in this race, being the home port. There is some pressure on the crew to improve the podium position as well, but we will strive to do our best."

The Qingdao team. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]   

The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is unique in that it is the only event on the planet which trains non-professional sailors to become ocean racers. It was founded in 1996 by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sail solo and non-stop around the world, as a way to give anyone the chance to become an ocean racer. Approximately 40 percent of the crew members have never sailed before signing up.

Around 200 people representing 22 different nationalities and all walks of life are taking part in the race to Qingdao, including two Ambassadors representing China's Sailing City, Liu Yulei and E Xianghong, on board Qingdao.

The Qingdao Ambassador Program is designed to both increase sailing participation and knowledge of Qingdao, and to promote the city of Qingdao around the world. Past Ambassadors include Vicky Song, the first Chinese woman to circumnavigate the globe.

The race from Sanya to Qingdao is expected to take between 10 to 12 days, with the fleet expected to arrive into the Wanda Yacht Club between 13 and 16 of March.

Following the Qingdao Stopover, the Clipper Race fleet will depart again on March 23 for the Mighty Pacific Leg 6, a 5,600 nautical mile race across the world's biggest and remote ocean to Seattle. From there, the teams will race on to Panama, New York, Derry-Londonderry, and Liverpool, where the Clipper 2017-18 Race will finish on July 28 2018.