LIU Chengqi, the happiest America’s Cup smile
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Shifty winds delay starting flight eight with the powerhouses consolidating their positions for the semi-finals and the also rans going through the last maneuvers before their exits from the Louis Vuitton Cup. China Team made their best efforts to contain the lighting fast New Zealanders but Emirates New Zealand took no chances in a repeat upset from the Chinese, and sped away to victory. Onboard Longtze, LIU Chengqi (19 years old), the youngest sailor of the America’s Cup sailed his first official race.
Facing New Zealand, China Team did its best to keep up and try attacking their opposition and but Emirates were to too fast to catch and “hook”. Not giving up, China Team had a good timed start and maintained good speed for half the first leg but New Zealand used their superior boat speed a good wind shift to finish the winners.
New Zealand, BMW Oracle, Desafio all won their races while the most spirited races came from Sweden just holding off Areva Challenge to win and Shosholoza inflicting an early penalty on Mascalzone which the Italians just barely failed to rectify at the finish line.
On board Longtze today, Liu Chengqi, born in July 1988, participated in his first official race. Filling the position as sewer man, he never came on deck except to give a hand with the winches. A tiring afternoon, for a young man of 19, timid, smiling, charming, with a desire to do well and give all that he can, to whatever comes his way. Returning to port, cheered on by the rest of the team, it is only natural that he took a flying celebration dive into the water sporting the most beautiful America’s Cup smile on his face.
“It is my first race today! I have trained onboard a lot since February, but I never thought I would have the chance to sail a real race. I thought I was only here to learn, and that’s all! It is an incredible day. For the last two months, I have learned a lot on shore. Actually, I watched the sail repair a great deal. I spent complete days in the sail loft, behind Carline and Martial, the sail makers, to see how they worked, repaired and folded the sails. I don’t think I made any mistakes today even if I need to progress in being more autonomous. It is a big honor to be Thierry Barot’s replacement today, who is 30 years older than I am, (injured last week). He has a lot of experience, is strong, and much better than I am, but I still have 30 years to get better! »
RV/LH-Valencia 6th May 2007
New Zealand, BMW Oracle, Desafio all won their races while the most spirited races came from Sweden just holding off Areva Challenge to win and Shosholoza inflicting an early penalty on Mascalzone which the Italians just barely failed to rectify at the finish line.
On board Longtze today, Liu Chengqi, born in July 1988, participated in his first official race. Filling the position as sewer man, he never came on deck except to give a hand with the winches. A tiring afternoon, for a young man of 19, timid, smiling, charming, with a desire to do well and give all that he can, to whatever comes his way. Returning to port, cheered on by the rest of the team, it is only natural that he took a flying celebration dive into the water sporting the most beautiful America’s Cup smile on his face.
“It is my first race today! I have trained onboard a lot since February, but I never thought I would have the chance to sail a real race. I thought I was only here to learn, and that’s all! It is an incredible day. For the last two months, I have learned a lot on shore. Actually, I watched the sail repair a great deal. I spent complete days in the sail loft, behind Carline and Martial, the sail makers, to see how they worked, repaired and folded the sails. I don’t think I made any mistakes today even if I need to progress in being more autonomous. It is a big honor to be Thierry Barot’s replacement today, who is 30 years older than I am, (injured last week). He has a lot of experience, is strong, and much better than I am, but I still have 30 years to get better! »
RV/LH-Valencia 6th May 2007