Clipper Ventures expands in China

Clipper Ventures is to open its first Training Academy in China after almost four decades of providing sailing instruction in the UK.

The Clipper China Training Academy will be based in a new marina in Lingshan Bay on the West Coast of Qingdao and will launch in the first half of 2025.

It will offer a full programme of sailing courses – from beginner level to advanced – along with hosting inshore and offshore regattas.

This is set to be the first academy with plans to roll out further bases across the country after Clipper China signed a joint venture with Qingdao Zhenghai Watersports Management Co. Ltd.

Clipper Ventures has trained more than 6,000 crew for their participation in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race in its 28-year history.

It also sees over 2,500 students pass through the doors at its training centre Hamble School of Yachting every year.

The Clipper China Training Academy will deliver courses on the fleet of yachts designed and built by Clipper China.

“We founded Clipper China to support the growing participation of sailing in China. This new academy will be the first of many in the country,” said Chris Rushton, MD of Clipper Ventures.

“It is only fitting that our first academy should be in Qingdao, a city that not only has hosted the Clipper Race eight times but is also where our current ocean racing fleet of Clipper 70s was built.

“I have seen first-hand how the city prides itself on being China’s sailing city and it was the obvious choice for us to open our inaugural Clipper China Training Academy.”

It is anticipated the new academy will create a pathway for China to increase participation in sailing, both inshore and offshore.

Zhang Peiyong, chairman of Qingdao Zhenghai Group explained: “Thank you Clipper Ventures and Clipper China for your trust.

“Establishing a Clipper China Sailing Academy in Qingdao is a big event in China’s ocean sailing training industry. It will surely open a new page in the ocean sailing development in China.”