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Long perceived as a sport for the rich, sailing is no longer only for wealthy nations. At the upcoming 32nd America's Cup, a major international sailing event, China for the first time in history will make an appearance in this prestigious event.

Altogether 12 fleets from 10 nations, such as the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Australia, Spain, and New Zealand will compete at the event in Spain, the final stage of which will be in 2007, April to June.

The Chinese team will represent the world's fast-growing nation in a field that nobody believed three years ago it could be involved in.

The first Chinese boat for the event is under construction in Dongguan of South China's Guangdong Province, and is scheduled to leave the boatyard next month, and will be ready to sail in Valencia at the end of January.

The initiator behind such a historical move is a Frenchman, Nicolas Ajacques, managing partner and chairman of NewBridge China, a firm that aims to develop Sino-French economic, cultural and sport exchanges.

When Ajacques started marketing the idea three years ago, no one believed it would be possible even in 10 years' time. But the French businessman has a strong belief that yachting, with the theme of nature, environment, team spirit and high technology, will catch the attention of the growing number of China's elite.

"I believe yachting is an activity which will develop fast in China, driven by the availability of leisure time for more and more people and the attractiveness of being close to nature," Ajacques said.

"Development of the infrastructure is fast, with several marinas under construction, and boats starting to be manufactured in China. Development of sailing is likely to come next, as it is a new sport, but it is driven by the appeal of China's elite for an activity full of tradition," he continued.

A fantastic idea was formed, and Ajacques needed money to realize the idea. Budgets for the America's Cup are sky-rocketing, with over US$100 million announced by many big teams. Ajacques thinks the budget for the Chinese Team is more modest, with an overall expectation of US$20 to 25 million.

Where is the money from? In order to develop the project, Ajacques initiated many contacts in China, with the China Yachting Association, the Qingdao city government and several potential sponsors.

It is on this basis that he met Wang Chaoyong, president of China Equity Group Inc, who seemed to have a similar project. "When we met, we were amazed to see we had reached very similar conclusions on what the project should be: a real Chinese challenge, based in Qingdao, host of the Olympic sailing event and driven by an experienced foreign team to accelerate China's entry into this new field," Ajacques said.

He then suggested that partnering with LE DEFI, an experienced French team he knew very well, was the best approach to give birth to the project at a time when no one believed it could take place.

Discussions went fast and the two businessmen concluded the joint venture in just a few months. Since then several companies have joined to support the programme: Tag Heuer, the famous watch maker, Lladro, the largest employer of Valencia where the Cup will take place, Chivas, the famous whisky brand of the French group Pernod-Ricard, and Neocles, a provider of software solutions.

So far, the total sponsorship he has raised is around US$15 million, an amount he expects will grow in the coming months if on-going discussions conclude successfully. "We would be particularly pleased if more Chinese companies joined the team to support their national flag in this competition," Ajacques said.

The team has attracted six to seven Chinese sailors, all from the Chinese Olympic Team. The team also includes sailors from Singapore and Malaysia.

The French team has brought the core of the crew, including the helmsman and tacticians, critical positions that require years of high-level training.

Boat design and overall conception and racing technologies are brought by the French, with the objective of transferring this technology in the long term to the Chinese team. One key example is the construction of the boat, which is currently taking place in Dongguan. Western experts are on the spot to ensure technology transfer and the boat has just been granted its series number, 95, which certifies it complies with the very strict Cup specifications.

"The whole project is a perfect example of positive co-operation, putting together the best of two nations, China and France," Ajacques stressed.

The Chinese team is a long-term project, and Ajacques believes the team will participate in every America's Cup, and its record will improve each time.

(China Daily 10/25/2006 page23)