I thought I'd follow China's entry in the America's Cup World Series, for a while anyway.
Article in today's South China Morning Post below the fold.

China hires Volvo Ocean winner to skipper entry

Reuters in Beijing Updated on Jun 18, 2011

China took another serious step towards establishing itself among the sailing super-powers yesterday with the announcement of a government-funded Volvo Ocean Race entry led by one of the world's best helmsmen. New Zealander Mike Sanderson, 40, is a former two-time winner of the Volvo Ocean Race - the sport's premier monohull offshore race - and his recruitment at the peak of his powers to team Sanya is a major coup for China. Sanderson is convinced China can threaten the established big guns in sailing which include his own nation, the United States and France. "We may not win this time but we're building to be a real force next time," he said. Sanderson said he expected "four or five" Chinese sailors to feature at least once in an 11-strong crew which can be rotated during the 10 legs of the event. The Volvo Ocean Race begins in Alicante, Spain on October 29 and ends in July next year in Galway, Ireland after visiting eight ports in four continents. Earlier this week, China was confirmed as one of eight challengers from seven nations for the opening race of the new America's Cup World Series in August in Portugal, the second time the mainland has contested this elimination series for the cup.