Many of Clipper’s sponsors have flown in to Qingdao in order to witness tomorrow’s race start spectacle and establish links with Chinese businesses, government departments and city officials. With Chinese New Year ending with the spectacular Lantern Festival on Sunday night, Monday morning means that its back to work and business as usual.

    Taking the opportunity to connect are delegations from Hull & Humber and Cape Breton Island. They have both been using the race to actively promote their region at several of the stops around the world and China is an important market to them.

    Backing for the Cape Breton Island – Nova Scotia’s Masterpiece entry is Canadian government regional economic development agency Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation (ECBC). The large trade delegation in Qingdao has a very strong seafood sector and with common trade links between Hull and Humber and Qingdao, a three-way relationship that is expected to strengthen and form the foundation for future business development between the three international city-regions.

    Glen MacDonald of ECBC said, “The Clipper Race has helped us make connections through which a variety of trade opportunities have been identified with other sponsoring countries. We have discovered much in common with Qingdao and Hull & Humber, especially in the seafood sector where there are already some trading links to build on. We are excited by the potential and look forward to developing long term mutually beneficial business relationships.”

    Taking the message of tourism, transportation and fine cuisine underscores the global ambition of Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation and today, a Lobster brunch was the feature of the day. With outside temperatures down below zero, the presentation of scarves to both the Cape Breton Island and Qingdao race crews was well received. The inclusion of the local boat in proceedings was to illustrate the strong bonds between Canada and China and when the fleet sail in to Cape Breton Island in four months time, the link will be reciprocated. Tomorrow evening, the Cape Breton delegation will host a gala dinner for a rich array of local VIP’s.

    Leading the delegation representing the Hull & Humber boat sponsors Yorkshire Forward is Sarah Pearson. She commented, “We had a very successful trade visit here with the last Clipper Race and look forward to developing existing business links as well as forging new ones. “

    The Hull and Humber region represents the UK’s largest ports complex, has a large seafood sector, plus significant business clusters in bioscience, chemicals, renewable energy technologies, engineering and manufacturing. The delegation is also receiving civic endorsement with the presence of the Lord Mayor of Hull, Councillor Karen Woods and her consort Councillor David Woods. The Lord Mayor also carries the ceremonial title of Admiral of the Humber and her enthusiastic welcome to the ten teams when they arrived in Hull for the race start is remembered with great warmth.

    Ensuring that the delights of Yorkshire are fully understood by the Chinese, the delegation includes member of Welcome to Yorkshire, the tourist board for the Yorkshire region. The team has been hard at work showcasing the stunning county, selling its charms and attractions.

    Commenting on the business delegations, Clipper CEO William Ward said, “Bringing together our boat sponsors to stimulate international trade opportunities is an important and powerful component of the Clipper Race model. We feel it is just as important to build commercial success for our sponsors alongside the competitive spirit of the crews on the water.

    “I’m pleased to see our sponsors from Cape Breton Island and Hull and Humber building trade and investment relationships with Qingdao and I look forward to seeing this develop in future races.”

    Race 7 start 02 March 2010 The grand parade down the coast to Little Qingdao Island is over and the fleet are now back off the Olympic Sailing Centre. Forestay banners are being taken down and sail plans considered. More >

    Final preparations for Race 7 02 March 2010 As the crews manned their boats this morning a watery sun rose over China's sailing capital. A cold day for the Race 7 start but the warmth of the hospitality shown by the people of Qingdao has taken the edge off the chill in the air.