Chinese student wins coveted trophy for outstanding Sail Training achievement
A young Chinese student on her first-ever voyage on a sailing ship beat close to 10,000 other trainees to be awarded the coveted Torbay Cup.
The award, a 100 year-old silver trophy and äå500 towards her next sail training voyage, is awarded by Sail Training International for individual achievement and personal effort during the annual Tall Ships Races.
Twenty-three year old Yujun Xu is from the city of Wuxi in the Chinese province of Jiangsu and is a student at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. She was sailing on the Dutch tall ship Gulden Leeuw with 40 other trainees from 14 countries, in the final leg of The Tall Ships Races 2013 from Riga, Latvia to Szczecin, Poland.
äóìI like adventure and doing things for the first time,äó says Yujun (pronounced ‘June’) Xu. äóìBut I would never have been brave enough to sail on a Tall Ship if it hadn’t been for friends persuading me to go.
äóìIt was a fantastic experience,äó says Yujun. äóìI learnt so much, and not only about the sea and sailing. Learning about other cultures and having the opportunity to talk about Chinese culture, working as a happy team with the other trainees, the beauty of the sea and sky äó_ it made memories that will stay with me for ever.äó
Gulden Leeuw Captain Robert Postuma had no hesitation in nominating Yujun for the award: äóìThis petite young lady came on board as a fairly insecure exchange student knowing nothing about the sea or sailing and joining a crew of other young trainees far stronger and more confident that she was. Within a few days she blossomed into a different person, a hard working and confident team player, who earned the respect and affection of us all. She made a huge contribution to the running of the ship and to the social life on board.
äóìWhile overcoming many difficulties she made a massive contribution to her crew members by fostering their desire to help the weakest become stronger. And as she transformed, she transformed her ship mates as well.äó
Yujun Xu is studying Management of Training and Development at the University of Edinburgh and plans to go back to China to work after graduation. Her main hobbies are classical Chinese dancing and calligraphy, both the subject of much interest and discussion among the other trainees.
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For more information contact Sally Titmus, Communications and Marketing Manager, Sail Training International, Charles House, Gosport Marina, Mumby Road, Gosport, Hampshire, UK PO12 1AH
Tel: +44 (0) 23 9258 6367 Email: sally.titmus@sailtraininginternational.org
Editor’ notes:
What is The Torbay Cup?
The Torbay Cup recognises and promotes one of the core values of The Tall Ships Races summer series in Europe – individual achievement and personal effort by young trainees taking part.
Torbay in the United Kingdom has a unique role in the history of the Tall Ships Races as the start port for the first ever Tall Ships Race in 1956 and it symbolises the birth of the unique ethos and culture of these Races that still endure today.
What is sail training?
Sail Training is an adventure activity, which includes far more than sailing instruction. Participants are required to confront demanding challenges, both physical and emotional. It is an activity that inspires self-confidence and personal responsibility. It promotes an acceptance of others, whatever
