Image: Greg Hunt Qingdao Skipper

Following Qingdao’s victory in the 2019-20 edition, the Chinese Sailing City is set to return as a Host Port and Team Partner for the next two editions of the Clipper Race. South Africa Greg Hunt has been appointed as the Skipper of Qingdao, for the upcoming 2023-24 edition and will lead his team of non-professional crew, including the recently selected Qingdao Ambassadors, around the globe.

A highly accomplished racer, Greg has over 200,000 nautical miles in his log book and has completed a number of high-profile regattas over his impressive career, such as the Maxi Yacht Rolex, Copa del Rey De Braces de Epoch, The Laura Piana, Superyacht Cup Palma, Les Voiles de Saint Tropez, Cape Town to Rio Race, among many others. Having the ability to remain calm and manage the most precarious scenarios with confidence will be an advantage for Greg when skippering his team around the globe. Joining the Clipper Race family is one of Greg’s greatest achievements.

On being selected, Greg said, “I’m really proud to be representing the Clipper Race’s longest standing Host Port and Team Partner as the Skipper of the Qingdao yacht on this edition. Qingdao has so much heritage as China’s Sailing City and I’m very excited to have been picked to lead the team.

“Sharing nautical knowledge and experiences with others is part of my sailing passion. I really enjoy teaching and understand the importance of conveying information and instructions in a calm and professional manner. I want everyone to be happy and ready to try their best. It’ll be great to meet and start working with the recently selected Ambassadors too, I’m sure they will bring good energy to the team. It will be a privilege to help lead them to become ocean racers.”

Image: The Qingdao team yacht in the Clipper 2219-20 Race

Greg’s goal is to achieve great results in the safest way. After winning the Clipper 2019-20 Race, Greg hopes to continue the Qingdao team’s success.

Among the Qingdao Race Crew will be a number of Qingdao ambassadors, who have been selected to not only develop into ocean racers, but to represent the Sailing City, famed for its diverse food scene, vibrant nightlife and world-famous Tsingtao beer. The Clipper Race fleet will sail into Qingdao in March 2024 as part of the Mighty Pacific Leg. Following the stopover, the eleven teams will race from the Sailing City across the North Pacific Ocean to the USA.