Meet Horace, the Shenzhen sailor who wants to be China’s first skipper in the Volvo Ocean Race
Chen Jinhao has become a key member of the Dongfeng Race Team and hopes to lead an all-Chinese yacht in the round-the-world competition
Having grown up by the sea in Shenzhen dreaming of becoming a sailor, it was a heart-warming moment for the 26-year-old – known affectionately as “Horace” – when his Dongfeng Race Team yacht pulled into port in Hong Kong on January 20 to be met by children from the sailing school he set up in his hometown.
The children were also there to cheer him on during Sunday’s In-Port Races, as Dongfeng took weekend honours to go joint-top of the Volvo Ocean Race leader board after four of 11 legs in the round-the-world competition.
On a team represented by six nations, bowman Horace is making a name for himself under French skipper Charles Caudrelier.
“The goal is to one day have a Chinese skipper in the Volvo Ocean Race,” said Caudrelier, who also selected Horace for six of nine legs in the 2014-15 race.
