There is no denying that Asia and its booming economy has a big attraction for any commercial entity and for sailing sponsors, an almost untapped market is waiting. Some countries like Malaysia, Singapore and the proactive sailing community of Hong Kong, already host a number of key sailing events, such as the World Match Racing ‘Monsoon Cup’ in Kuala Terengganu (Malaysia) and the China Coast Regatta including the Hong Kong-Vietnam race.

The introduction of the Asian Record Circuit is widening those boundaries even further. This 10-leg circuit takes in six different countries – Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore – stopping at key major cities including the Chinese ports of Dalian, Qingdao, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Taipei (Taiwan).

Mark Turner, CEO of the OC Group, that includes the Offshore Challenges Sailing Team and OC Events, commented: “The objective of the Asian Record Circuit in respect to the long-term is to create a much needed ‘product’ in the Asia region that appeals to project sponsors in the future. We could have just gone out there and fulfilled our own current sponsor needs, but we decided it would be worthwhile going to more countries and establishing the course in such a way that others can benefit from the extensive work we have had to do to set up the complex logistics of this challenging tour.”

With this in mind, OC Events, using MacArthur’s campaign, have set out to establish clear rules and guidelines to allow other teams and skippers to sell this idea to their sponsors. “But it’s not just about pleasing the sponsors, as more and more sailors challenge the established record times that we are setting on the trimaran <>, this in turn will drive the competition to set new and faster times. It is so different sailing out in these waters, with a whole set of different challenges – a learning experience we are ready to share with other future challengers,” said Ellen MacArthur, co-founder of the OC Group and Offshore Challenges Sailing Team skipper.

The Offshore Challenges Sailing Team invested in three fact-finding missions to Asia to ensure the viability of running a record circuit like this. At the halfway mark through the tour, the team headed up by MacArthur have established five new record times [see below] onboard the 75ft trimaran <>. The current tour will highlight operational practicalities and the rules are subject to change given that experience. The developed rules will reflect the actual course of <> circuit, and direct comparisons will be possible. Full set of initial rules, available to download at http://www.asianrecordcircuit.com/arcrules.pdf

With the launch of the Asian Record Circuit and the activities of other ‘pro’ events and campaigns - including Olivier de Kersauson’s record attempts in the region and the Clipper Round the World race stopover in Qingdao – the growth of sailing and the boating industry is expected to flourish in the years to come, opening up new markets for commercial sponsors wishing to extend their market reach.

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