First Chinese rower to cross Atlantic marks 20 year anniversary with historic adventure to Japan
- Sun Haibin is marking his 2001 crossing by partnering up with his old crewmate and rowing from China to Japan via South Korea
- The pair are exploring if it were possible for Chinese explorers to visit the US long before Columbus or the Vikings
In 2001, Sun Haibin and his Danish partner Christian Havrehed overcame cultural difference and overwhelming scepticism from the Chinese public to row from the Canary Islands to Barbados and next year marks 20 years since their adventure. Now the pair are embarking on another adventure to celebrate the anniversary.
“No one believed it. It was unbelievable because not only were we going to do it, but also because we were going to raise money and give it to United World Colleges. There was a big credibility issue. No one had heard of this in China. In China there is quick money, this must have been a scam,” said Sun.
“Before we left, we couldn‘t get one penny out of Chinese sponsors. When I went to the airport to leave, not one journalist went with me. When I returned, there were reporters everywhere,” he said.
“Sponsors were reluctant, if we died it wouldn’t look good. It was far out. Ocean rowing was in its infancy. There were many obstacles.”
The cliché in ocean rowing is getting to the start line is harder than rowing the ocean, said Havrehed.