The Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race crew had an authentic Chinese experience yesterday, as they were embraced by 30 local Qingdao families, who took them in as their own.

    After being presented to their host families on stage and showered with gifts, each crew member was taken away by their “new family” for a carefully planned day of Chinese culture.

    Visits were made to Qingdao temples with special ceremonies held for good luck on the race ahead. Other activities included visiting tea plantations, local markets for authentic delicacies such as scorpions, squid and snake, making dumplings and finishing the day in their family homes for an extravagant dinner – much of which was featured live on Chinese TV.

    New crew member Karolina Adamczyk joining De Lage Landen in Qingdao for the race to California says, “It’s been very exciting to be part of this. We have received a great insight into the Chinese culture today. It is a real highlight of my stay in Qingdao to be able to experience their generous hospitality and I was honoured to be treated as part of their family.”

    Returning from their stays late last night, more activities followed in China’s “capital of Sailing” today. Skippers and crew attended an extravagant donation ceremony at the Olympic Sailing Museum donating their own and sponsor gifts to the growing Clipper Round the World Yacht Race collection in the museum – the only one of its kind in the world.

    Donations included team t-shirts, signed flags, framed posters and mascots, and skippers were given personalised scrolls in return, showing the museum’s gratitude.

    The Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race is in Qingdao until the race start to California on Sunday, 4 March.