Chinese crew on De Rucci first international team here for Sydney to Hobart
THEY were the first crew from mainland China to compete in a Sydney to Hobart, the first to enter this year’s event and now the crew on De Rucci are working to be the first to win the famous race.
Other Sports
Don't miss out on the headlines from Other Sports. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Aussie crew can win America’s Cup says gun
- Model surfer survives big wave scare
- Women riding winds of change
THEY were the first team from mainland China to compete in a Sydney to Hobart, the first to enter this year’s event and now the crew on the 52-footer De Rucci are working overtime to be the first to win the famous race.
Skipper Dong Qing and his crew on the rebranded De Rucci, formerly known as Ark 323, are also the first international entry in Sydney training for the bluewater classic which starts on Boxing Day.
RECORD-BREAKER: Loyal return for Sydney to Hobart
BACK TO BUSINESS: Neville Crichton to steer Comanche to Hobart
The Chinese team from Noahs Yacht Club Shanghai are hoping it is third time lucky for them after being hit by a rival at the start of the 2015 race and last year racing much of the trip to Hobart without a mainsail after breaking their boom in Bass Strait.
“Because of the last two years we decided to get here even earlier to train,’’ said Quing, who arrived earlier this month with his team and have already completed their Sydney to Hobart qualifying race.
“This year we want to do well’’
SYDNEY TO HOBART CASUALTIES: Broken booms, busted noses
WORLD CUP: Private Quinn goes public with Jillaroos stories
Qing’s crew, the first to enter this year’s race when entries opened, will train five days a week until the December 26 start of the Sydney to Hobart with all but two of his 15-strong crew having previously raced the event.
This will be one of the most rigorous lead-up campaigns of any crew in the fleet.
They also enter the 73rd Sydney to Hobart with the additional experience of having campaigned in the famous Fastnet race in the UK earlier this year.
WOW: Women on water earn accolades
GRAND FINAL: Close surf race has Sally Fitz excited
“We will go out every day but we will also do some night time sailing as well,’’ Qing said.
De Rucci is one of 31 overseas yachts in the 109-strong Sydney to Hobart fleet which also includes 12 boats from the UK and representatives from New Caledonia, Hong Kong, New Zealand, the US, China, Germany, Italy, South Korea and Russia.