KEY POINTS:
CHINA TEAM
Country: China Boat: CHN95
Syndicate head: Chaoyong Wang
Skipper: Pierre Mas
Designers: Daniel Andrieu, Herve Devaux and Philippe Pallu de la Barriere
Estimated budget: $25 million
Boat colour: Red
Challenger ranking: 11
HISTORY
China Team represents the Qingdao International Yacht Club, and is the first Chinese team to challenge. Led by Chaoyong Wang, chairman of a leading venture capital firm. The syndicate formed a partnership with Le Defi, a French challenger in the last two America's Cup. They have not only acquired the French teams' two yachts which competed in Auckland in 2002-03 but also plenty of knowledge. "The team is happy with the boat, which is a rather extreme design," skipper Pierre Massays. "We should be much, much better than before."
CREW
With fewer than 60 people on the team, China Team is the smallest team in Valencia and pales in comparison to the likes of Alinghi, Oracle and Team New Zealand who each employ more than 120 people.
STRENGTHS
The knowledge gained from merging with the French team will assist the China Team. But the fact the French team were never really that good means they will not be a tremendous help.
PROSPECTS
China Team is in a similar situation to Mascalzone Latino last time in that they are setting themselves up for future campaigns. Will exit after the round robin competition.