Chinese yachtsman Xu's atypical round-the-world Lagoon journey
by Lagoon Asia Pacific 25 Nov 2018 06:33 UTC
More and more Lagoon owners are sharing their round-the-world journeys with us, especially those who come from the more mature sailing markets. Today, we turn the spotlight on a Chinese sailor named Xu Jingkun – a born adventurer who represents the new sailing generation in China. With an active social media presence in China's sailing scene, his atypical Lagoon voyage has been influential among China's sailing community. With his second-hand Lagoon 440 on the China Sea once again, Skipper Xu is due to arrive in Hainan soon.
The first one-armed yachtsman to sail the length of China's coastline and complete the transatlantic Mini Transat 6.50 yacht race on his own, Xu is no newcomer to China's sailing scene. He started sailing in 2003, and he and his teammates represented China in the sailing category at the Paralympic Games 2008.
Even when he was serving on the national team, Xu dreamed of having a boat of his own. When he decided to make the round-the-world journey with his beloved wife Sofia, doing it on a catamaran seemed like the best way forward. Of all the catamaran brands, Lagoon was Xu's first choice. With their limited budget, the couple visited several countries in the Mediterranean to search for a model for their voyage. They came across a second-hand Lagoon 440 in Turkey, and were sold on its many advantages: comfortable and spacious living spaces onboard, great performance and stability at sea, and ease of handling. Best of all, it looked just like a floating home – perfect for them to relax and have a decent life at sea.
Onboard the Lagoon 440, the couple has visited numerous countries in Europe, Africa, America, Oceania, and Asia. Together, they have sailed the length of the romantic Aegean Sea and watched the sunrise in Sicily. They have partied in Ibiza, sipped coffee in Jamaica, hunted for vintage cars in Cuba, and even encountered the Colón strike in Panama. During the journey, he also invites friends and sailing enthusiasts onboard and introduces the Lagoon floating home to the guests, having them experience enjoyable sailings.
Lagoon sees Xu as a sailing ambassador in China's emerging market, with his strong passion for sailing and his clear enjoyment of life at sea. His journey is generously supported by Lagoon, and will surely encourage more people to take to the waves in pursuit of new destinations and adventures.