Sailors compete during the practicing game of the 2008 International Association for Disabled Sailing (IFDS) Qingdao International Regatta in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, May 10, 2008.

Chinese sailors are currently busy preparing for the Beijing Olympics, where they have a legitimate chance to win a medal or two. Whether one of those sailors can join the Volvo race remains to be seen. But organizers believe China has already made an impression in the sailing world.

"Judging by its technical level of boat-building and ability to hold high-level sailing events, China has made a big impression," said Yan Xinmin, China's media manager for the Volvo Ocean Race. "We also appreciate the Chinese Yachting Association for its vision and efforts of bringing Volvo Ocean Race to China."

The 2008-09 edition of the Volvo Ocean Race will start in Alicante, Spain, on Oct 4 and will make stops in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, North and South America and Europe before finishing in St Petersburg, Russia, on June 27, 2009.

So far seven teams, including the Green Team, which will use the McConaghy International boat, have confirmed entry.

Qingdao is one of the stopovers selected to hold the Extreme 40 Series, a part of the on-the-water entertainment package held during the fleet's stay. The series will also be held in ports in Alicante, Singapore, Boston and Stockholm.

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