All sailing teams competing in the 2023-2024 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race left Ha Long International Cruise Port in the northeastern province of Quang Ninh on March 2, officially setting sail for the 5th leg to Jiuzhou Port (Zhuhai city in China’s Guangdong province), VNA reported.

The Clipper Race was first organized in 1996 in the UK. Since then, almost 6,000 race crews from diverse backgrounds representing more than 60 nations have undergone training and taken part in the competition.

In the 2023-2024 season, the race is divided into 8 stages with 16 individual races and 6 ocean crossings. Participating in the season, 11 racing boats are coming to Ha Long Bay, including the racing boat of the Quang Ninh team named "Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam" which finished in fifth place, and temporarily stands at sixth place in the ranking.

The 7th race, part of the 5th leg called the "Asia-Pacific Challenge", has a starting point at Coral Seaport (Queensland state, Australia) and a destination point at Ha Long Bay (Quang Ninh province, Vietnam).

During their 2-week stay in Quang Ninh, nearly 400 sailors on 11 sailing boats participated in a series of experiential activities and events to promote local destinations and tourism organized by the provincial authorities.

The 11 participating racing teams went through a 25-day cruise over a distance of 4,515 nautical miles. By the end of February 19, all 11 participating racing teams completed race no. 7, fifth stage (2 days earlier than the expected time). Source: daidoanket.vn

Laura Ayres, CEO of Clipper Ventures, said that the warm welcome from local authorities and people has provided an experience that exceeded all expectations for those joining this race leg.

“I truly believe that this stopover has achieved all objectives. Race Crew have been to museums, walking tours and visited the mountains to meet the Dao people at the Ky Thuong commune, trying rafting, cooking, dancing, and hiking," Quang Ninh newspaper cited Laura.

“They have eaten their way around the region – someone told me that Quang Ninh province cuisine is like tasting the whole of Vietnam in one place. From Ha Long Skipper Josh going to the fish market and learning the traditional process of making Squid Balls, to Race Crew having a cook-off making spring rolls and seafood pancakes."

Laura expressed her hope that in the next Clipper Race tournament, there will be participants from Vietnam as members of racing teams or ambassadors.

With Zhuhai beckoning on the horizon, the crew leaves well rested and well fed, ahead of Race 8: The Sprint to the city of a hundred islands. Source: daidoanket.vn

During their stay in Quang Ninh province, race crews have immersed themselves in Vietnamese culture, indulging in a diverse array of experiences, from exploring ancient caves to hiking mountain trails, mastering the art of crafting the renowned squid cakes of the region, and venturing out into the thousands of islets the area has to offer.

The warmth and hospitality of the Host Port have left crew members glowing about their stay in the province.

Skipper Mike Miller, from PSP Logistics, said that he has had the most amazing experience in Ha Long Bay. The people and the food have been more than he imagined. He left here with fond memories and cannot wait to return again.

All sailing teams competing in the 2023-2024 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race 2023-2024 leave Quang Ninh on March 2. Photo: VNA

Joining the racing team and becoming one of the destinations of the Clipper Round World Yacht Race in the 2023-2024 season has affirmed Quang Ninh's capabilities in terms of experience, facilities, and expertise in organizing international tourism and sports events.

Thereby, it aims to introduce and promote the image of Quang Ninh's tourism as well as introduce opportunities, potentials, and projects to attract investment in the province to international friends and potential investors. Quang Ninh considers the race as one of the province's key tourism investment and promotion activities in 2024 and the following years.

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