Jiru Yang
FROM ACADEMIC TO SPORTSMAN
You can call him: Wolf
Nationality: Chinese
Birthday: 14.07.90
Hometown: Anshan, Liaoning Province in North East China where people are known for being tough!
Wolf on Wolf: “This is the biggest thing that has happened in my life so far.”
Charles on Wolf: “Wolf is a very smart guy. During the selection process he shared everything he was learning with his colleagues like a true team player, and I admired him for this.”
Whilst most of us would think twice about agreeing to spending the next nine months of our lives cold, wet, hungry and tired, Wolf is still counting his lucky stars at being selected as part of the final race team.
Born 14 July 1990, this 23 year old is only too eager to follow his newfound dream. Wolf did not grow up with the intention of becoming a sailor, and barely even knew about the sport of sailing. He was an exceptionally smart child, winning regional mathematics competitions and numerous science awards; and once into his teenage years Wolf imagined a future career in engineering or business. With intense focus on academia throughout his whole life and a gift for science in particular, it seemed only natural to follow what he was good at. But his plans changed course when he applied to study Science at Xiamen University. “When I applied for this specific university course numbers were limited, I was offered to study something different and because Xiamen was my first choice I agreed.”
Although taller and stronger than the average Chinese man, Wolf never imagined that he would have a career as a professional sportsman. It was only when he moved to the coastal town of Xiamen that his roommate introduced him to the world of sailing. He quickly became absorbed by the sport and by his 21st birthday he was taking sailing very seriously, researching elite level competitions such as the America’s Cup. It was at this point he landed on the Volvo Ocean Race homepage. “I immediately grabbed a post-it and scribbled ‘Volvo Ocean Race’ and ‘America’s Cup’,” he smiles. “I stuck it on my bedroom wall, I had a dream.”
When the Dongfeng Race Team campaign was launched in October 2013 it was the opportunity Wolf had been waiting for. China had a national entry in the Volvo Ocean Race for the first time in history. “I knew I had to do whatever it took to be on the final team. There aren’t many professional sailors in China but there was enough to have some serious competition. I had to be the best.” Wolf pushed his way to the front of the pack during the team’s trials. “I didn’t relax, I was too determined.” He never lost focus, returning only once to see his family in five months, and he had done enough to pique Caudrelier’s interest. “It’s easy to be spoilt in China and I don’t want to be like that. I love my family but I am too proud to go back home. I want to carve my own path and I want to be independent.”
Liu Ming
A DARK HORSE
Definition: “A candidate or competitor about whom little is known but who unexpectedly wins or succeeds”
You can call him: Leo
Nationality: Chinese
Date of birth: 22.07.84.
Hometown: Xiangyang, Hubei (close to Shiyan, the team’s Platinum Partner and home to Dongfeng)
“I was an ordinary kid many years ago – just like other Chinese kids, hoping to be the number one in my class, hoping to receive the offer from a top university in China. But everything changed when I was in the second year in high school – a coach of Guangdong Province Sailing Team came to our school to look for potential young sailors and he asked me if I was interested. I didn’t know anything about sailing at that time; it’s like something you can only find in comic book, not in real life. I was really curious and decided to give it a go.”
Changing his long-term plans and choosing the unfamiliar path of sailing wasn’t an easy decision for Leo, but after three years of solid training he quickly became one of the top three ranked sailors in China - it was obvious he had made the right choice.
One of the quieter members of the team, Leo struggles with his English. Lacking the language skills needed to communicate with the rest of the team held him back during the selection process. “I would say I was really rational and positive towards the selection trial – I didn’t expect too much, but I pushed myself to do my best every single day. I don’t want to give myself the opportunity to feel regret. I really struggled with English but I knew that training with world-class offshore sailors and learning from them is important so I had to learn.”
Despite his language setback and seemingly quiet nature, Leo has a strong advantage that comes in the form of his physique. “Leo is a very ‘natural’ athlete who would be able to adapt physically to most sports,” explains the team’s Athlete Performance Manager, Julian Calefato. “With this disposition it is very easy to develop and condition him with regards to the demands of ocean sailing.”
Leo is overjoyed at being selected for the final race team: “I’m so glad that all the hard work I’ve done is paying off - I’m now officially a sailor of the Dongfeng Race Team! I enjoy staying with the team because they give me a sense of belonging. I’ll keep working hard to support the team, to overcome any obstacles with my teammates and to get the best result at the end of the race.”
Cheng Ying Kit
A MAN IN DEMAND
You can call him: Kit
Nationality: Chinese
Date of Birth: 05.12.80
Hometown: Hong Kong
The best way to describe Kit is sought after, cool and laid back. In other words, he’s everyone’s cup of tea. Kit joined Dongfeng Race Team from China Team (the Chinese America’s Cup team) and was a key member in the organisation of the Chinese recruitment campaign for Dongfeng Race Team. Although participating in the selection trials himself, Kit’s experience in the Chinese sailing industry allowed him to become an important asset to the team’s management from day one.
After a mismatch of jobs in sales, construction and engineering, Kit realised his heart belonged to sailing and turned his focus to becoming a professional offshore sailor, but without the support of his family. “I’ve loved sailing since I was a kid. I enjoy the feeling when I’m on the boat and on the water. Unfortunately, my family doesn’t really support me in becoming a sailor. I grew up in a typical Hong Kong family –, my parents hoped that I could go to university and learn something ‘decent and worthwhile’, then become a doctor or a lawyer.”
When he was accepted into China Team, Kit was delighted to become part of a professional sailing team and stayed with them for three years. “I really liked my job but I had to give it up along with a few very juicy offers before taking part in the Dongfeng Race Team selection trials. But racing in the Volvo Ocean Race is always my dream and I would do anything to be part of the team.
“I’m really glad Charles chose me. Apart from all the sailing skills I learned in the past few months, I also learned a lot from the shore crew. This team is so multicultural and we are getting to know each other, like you would in any job. My friends were very happy for me when they heard that I’m now officially a final crew member. I’ll be the first Hong Kong local to do this. Although my family still doesn’t really understand what I’m doing and what it means, I’ll work my best to prove that being a sailor is also a decent job - I’m not just playing but serious. It’s a very professional industry, just like being a lawyer or a doctor. Hopefully they will come to a stopover and see that!”
“Kit is a really unique member of this team,” explained Charles Caudrelier. “Everyone wants a piece of Kit; the technical team want him, the shore team want him, and the sailors want him. He is a pleasure to be around and he bridges certain gaps in the team. He is very funny and I’m excited for him to bring his dream to life and show everyone what he can do.”
Liu Xue
A NATURAL
You can call him: Black (yes, really!)
Date of birth: 12th March 1993
Hometown: Qingdao, China
Initially, Black (or Little Black to his friends) comes across as the stereotypical young adult, listing sleep, food and computer games amongst his interests. Delve a little deeper however and you discover a determined and charismatic young sailor: “I never liked the idea of an office job where you start work at 9am and finish at 6pm.”
Black was introduced to the world of sailing at thirteen years old when his uncle, who is also part of the national team, showed him some sailing pictures and inspired him to get involved in the sport. Since then, his aunt and uncle have proved to be a great support for Black. “Other people just think ‘Oh, Black has gone sailing’ but do not understand things like how you drive or control the boat, for example. It is nice to talk with my aunt and uncle who are good sailors in China.”
Black has shown he is a talented sailor and understands what it takes to be a competitor in the Volvo Ocean Race: “A Volvo Ocean Race sailor should be a team player, should be determined in mind with a strong body and should know and understand the boat. They should be prepared to confront any problems that may occur instead of trying to escape or turn away.”
According to his friends and teammates, Black fits the mould. “I met Black before the trials and we have sailed together before. I have always enjoyed working with him so I am happy he is part of Dongfeng race team. He is a very good friend and a funny guy,” says Wolf.
His journey hasn’t always been plain sailing, however, as Black felt unsettled during the first offshore training event with Dongfeng Race Team and decided that the Volvo Ocean Race was not for him. “After the first few days I felt a bit confused – there was no competition and suddenly I could not figure out what the objective or goal was for the training.” Despite this setback, it wasn’t long until Black was back with the team and felt ready to learn. “I started to miss the team, miss my teammates and miss all the difficulties we have been through together. Also, this is the Volvo Ocean Race – a really rare opportunity – and I am ready to participate in the race. I can do it - I believe in myself.”
PS. 3 clics. Le plus long c'est de copier coller intelligemment pour les beaux yeux de Jean ! Serviteuse !
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