Clipper yachts to start arriving in Qingdao

The 11 yachts that will be competing in the 2017-18 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race will arrive in Qingdao from Thursday.

The yacht named Qingdao is ranked second, according to Ji Gaoshang, the director of the Qingdao Sports Bureau. Sailing from Sanya to Qingdao, this is the eighth race in the series.

"We will hold a welcome ceremony for each yacht and some Chinese traditional arts, like yangko (a rural folk dance), will be performed," Ji said.

The 11 yachts will leave Qingdao for Seattle on March 23. This will be the seventh time that the Clipper series visits Qingdao, the sailing venue for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

The clipper Round the World Yacht Race, is held every two years and is the largest amateur yacht race in the world. A total of 712 crew members from 41 countries and regions will be participating in this edition of the series.