A team of sailors representing China will come to Hong Kong next week to help prepare for the America's Cup, the first time a Chinese syndicate has entered the race.
China Team will spend two days match racing on Victoria Harbour on two 70-foot yachts, Boracay and Jelik, owned by business tycoon and sailing enthusiast Frank Pong.
The team, formerly a French outfit called Le Defi, now consists of 17 members from France, Italy, Poland, the US and China.
Team member Thierry Barot said they would recruit more Chinese sailors from the mainland next week for the Hong Kong regatta on March 11 and 12.
'We're mainly westerners now, but we want to build a more Chinese team. Twelve of us will be in Shenzhen from March 5 to 9 to sail with 15 Chinese people everyday to see what level they are at and to train them. Then we will select the best eight people to join our team,' Barot said.
He said all 15 men were experienced sailors recommended by the Chinese Yachting Association.
