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The 6 lucky WC Optimist sailors left for China today!
Kashief Davids, JP Buys, Max Cilliers, Theo Scheder-Bieschin, Thomas Slater, Isabella Keytel.
Bev le Sueur, Wendy Adams & Tristan Bews accompanying them all the way.
The team will participate in the Qingdao International Training Camp & Regatta all made possible by DCAS – Dept of Cultural Affairs & Sport, Western Cape.
Saturday 10 August – Our Optimist sailors were treated to an amazing opening ceremony in Qingdao, China – they must have felt like Olympians!
They sailed 4 races on the 1st day, “We had a tough day on the water yesterday. Our kids struggled to read the current which resulted in a few black flags”
Sailing was cancelled for today (too much wind) & tomorrow due to a typhoon making landfall this evening.
From Coach Tristan … (Tuesday 13th August) Hi all! So lots of good news from China! We had 4 good races today. The sea was very confused which lead to quite a bit of sea sickness . The kids scored some good results so South Africa’s presents is been felt on the race course. Tonight we were treated to a class on how to make Mooncakes. A traditional Chinese cake. I must say we have a few handy bakers in the team!
Tomorrow is the last day of racing. So it is all to play for. Hopefully we can keep the good results coming in! Goodnight from Qingdao.
(Wednesday 14th August) Our sailors have had their last day of sailing today. Closing Ceremony is this evening. Shopping and exploring tomorrow then to Airport in Qingdao to fly to Beijing. Beijing to Doha. Explore Doha on a 20hr layover and then home.
Results: All in silver fleet Max 3rd, Thomas 5th . Kashief 7th, Theo 14th, JP 23rd. Isabella 6th girl & 18th overall in silver fleet.
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Message from Bev:
Our wonderful children have embraced the Chinese culture and food, accepted its people and touched the hearts of many. Well done to Wendy and Tristan and Team Qingdao 2019, you have made this another successful exchange. Relationships have been strengthened. Thank you parents for allowing your children to participate. They are amazing and unique individuals who have such shown such respect to everyone around them and most importantly, allowed and trusted us to show them the beauty and generous hospitality of Qingdao and its people.
Friday 16 August – News from China (still in China but just leaving). After a 4hr delay the team left Qingdao. The team missed their connecting Beijing-Qatar flt by minutes at 2am ish. Poor kids slept on the floor till Beijing airport woke up. Bev, Wendy & Tristan kept vigil overdosed on caffeine. Waiting it out in a Beijing hotel for the plan to emerge. They finally were booked onto the flight the following day. They are finally on their way home & will be arriving on Sun (not Sat)
