On the morning of Nov. 18, GuoChuan, a 47-year-old Qingdao skipper as well as the first “Peace Champion” of the World Peace and Sports Organizations in China started his solo non-stop unpowered global voyage from the Olympic Sailing Center while piloting the 40-foot "Class 40" vessel "Qingdao”.

    GuoChuan is the first Chinese to participate in the Volvo Ocean Race, Clipper Round the World Yacht Race and the Mini Transat Atlantic sailing event. According to the provisions of World Record Commission of the International Sailing Federation (ISAF), only the challenger himself can pilot the vessel during the solo non-stop unpowered global voyage to complete at least 21,600 sea miles voyage relying solely on the wind without docking, stopping for supplies and backup force, and the starting point and ending point must be unified. Up to now, no one in China has accomplished this feat, if GuoChuan can finish this difficult task successfully, he will once again rewrite the Chinese maritime history. What’ s more, no one has completed such sailing achievement previously piloting vessel less than 40-foot,GuoChuan will also create his own world record if he can succeed this time.

    After leaving Qingdao, GuoChuan will sail all the way toward the east. The route is scheduled to go through the equator twice, Cape Horn and Cape of Good Hope and then back to Qingdao in about 125days.

    GuoChuan’s Alone Journey

    21,600 Sea Miles in 125 Days

    At 11:57:09 on the morning of Nov. 18, GuoChuan, the 47-year-old Qingdao skipper started his solo non-stop unpowered global voyage which is more than 21,600 sea miles piloting the 40-foot "Class 40" vessel "Qingdao” at about 20 sea miles per hour crossing the starting line set in the connection extension cord of the sculpture" The Wind in May” and Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center Lighthouse.

    Shedding Tears When Parting

    Men only weep when deeply grieved. Nearly a thousand citizens spontaneously came to the Olympic Sailing Center seeing GuoChuan off, which greatly moved him. Guo was so touched that he almost choked while delivering a short speech in the sail ceremony; his eyes were filled with tears.

    After expressing appreciation to all his supporters, GuoChuan said confidently "I would like to say, I can make it, I will be able to make it, please be assured that I will try my best in return for your support.”

    Guo’sWife kowtowed to Pray for Him

    After the farewell ceremony, holding his 9–month-old little son Guo Columbus and surrounded by friends and family, walking along the blue carpet which symbolizes the sea，GuoChuan boarded the boat "Qingdao" which moored at the pontoon. GuoChuan named his little son Guo Columbus to commemorate Christopher Columbus, the Italian navigator who had discovered the New World in the 15th century.

    Behind every successful man, there is always a great woman. Although parting is sad, there is not too much sadness on Guo’s wife, Xiao Li’s face. Instead, she has been smiling to encourage her husband.

    In fact, Xiao Li was pretending to be happy. When seeing "Qingdao” slowly left the pontoon, she could no longer restrain her tears; she suddenly kneeled down on the ground kowtowing three times toward the direction of "Qingdao". She did this to pray for her husband, which is really touching.

    Olympic Silver Medal Winner Jumped into the Sea to See Guo off

    According to the practice of the international sailing community, whenever an ocean yacht race sets sail, there will be a celebrity jumping into the sea from the race boat to see off the competitors. World Footballer Zinedine Zidane had served as a "jumping guest” for Volvo Ocean Race. Zhang Xiaodong served as the "jumping guest” for GuoChuan on that day. Zhang Xiaodong is the first windsurfing world champion in China, women's windsurfing runner-up in the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games and vice principal of Qingdao sailing school of State Sports General Administration. Just before jumping into the sea, Zhang Xiaodong hugged GuoChuan and made an appointment with him to meet again next spring in Qingdao.

    GuoChuan has Created Many Records

    GuoChuan’s Profile

    GuoChuan was born in January 1965; when he was still a child his dream was to become a scientist. He graduated with a Master’s degree from Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics majoring in aircraft control, later he obtained an MBA at Peking University. He had served in China Great Wall Industry Corporation and participated in the international commercial satellite launch.

    At age 33,GuoChuan boarded a friend's 40-foot sailboat in Hong Kong, which accidentally helped him find a new direction for his life. In 2004 he was appointed the skipper of yacht "Qingdao", had set to sail to Shimonoseki in Japan in memorial of the 25 years of friendship between the two cities, the trip as a friendship ambassador officially tied the knot between Guo and sailing. Since then, GuoChuan devoted himself to occupational sailing and created many records in China.

    --------The first Chinese to participate in Clipper Round the World Yacht Race in 2006

    --------The Olympic torchbearers passing the Olympic torch on the boat in 2008

    --------The first Chinese who completed the Volvo Ocean Race in 2008-2009

    --------The first Chinese to successfully sail across the Atlantic Ocean MiniTransat on his own in a mini yacht that stretches just 6.50 meters in length in 2011

    --------The first “Peace Champion” of the World Peace and Sports Organizations in China in 2012