Buyer's Guide 2014

22
Guo Chuan – Scientist, Engineer and Professional Offshore Sailor
Guo Chuan’s childhood dream was
to become a scientist. After completing
a master‘s degree in aircraft
control at Beijing University
of Aeronautics and Astronautics,
and an MBA at Beijing University,
he worked on commercial satellite
launch programmes before finding
a new direction and pursuing a professional
career in offshore sailing.
His devotion to the sport even made
him determined enough to set new
records.
Being the only offshore professional
of his nation Guo Chuan made
history as the first Chinese sailor to
single handedly sail around the world
non stop.
Guo had set off from Qingdao, the
Chinese city which gave the name
to his Akilaria Class40 yacht in November
2012 and returned to the
same port after 137 days, 20 hours,
1 minute and 57 seconds at sea.
Guo had to make heroic efforts to
survive gales and fight his lonelyness
in order to finish his journey, towards
the end always in danger of dense
marine traffic off the Chinese coast
and the presence of fishing nets and
vessels, that could have ended his
journey on the final miles to his home
port where his family and a huge
turnout of supporters gave him an
emotional welcome.
The epic journey was the first in the
small Class 40 by a solo sailor and
officially recognized as world record.
Guo exlusively relied on Marinepool
performance sailing clothing
and automatic life jackets during his
successful world record attempt.
www.guochuansailing.com