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VALENCIA, Spain, Oct 4 - Two years ago, China had not even dreamed of entering the race for the America's Cup.

America's Cup challenger China Team's skipper Pierre Mas steers the boat during their match-race against Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team of Italy at the Valencia Louis Vuitton Act 12 in Valencia in this June 23, 2006 file photograph. [Reuters]

"I don't mind if we come bottom," said syndicate head Wang Chaoyong.

"The most important thing for China Team is to promote public interest in sailing in China. Second is to build a platform for us to be a stronger, better team in the future."

The America's Cup has traditionally been seen as an elitist sport with rich syndicates from the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Italy pumping millions of dollars into their challenges.

The 2007 Cup, which is being organised more along the lines of a major sporting event than a regatta, will be more international with boats from Germany, Spain, South Africa and China joining the race to take on the Swiss defenders Alinghi.

"It all dates back to 2004 when the America's Cup Management team invited me to a regatta in Marseille and said China should develop a team to make it a truly global event," Wang said.

He took the idea home and quickly won backing from the government and yachting association who saw the high-skill, high-profile event as a boost to China's international image.

FRENCH TEAM

That left Wang with the problem of building up a team in three years to be ready for the Louis Vuitton Cup that will decide the America's Cup challenger in Valencia next June.

Added to that was the problem that most Chinese sailors are now deeply involved in preparing for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Rather than scrabble around for more sailors, build a boat from scratch and put together an on-land team to work on technology and strategy, Wang did a deal with the French team Le Defi which challenged for the Cup in 2000 and 2003.

"It's a very exciting long-term project. We're joining young Chinese talent with experienced Western sailors not just to take part in the Cup but to make a contribution to the sport in China," said skipper Pierre Mas, now on his third challenge.

Mas is spending time in China at sailing camps to help direct some of Beijing's sporting push towards the open sea.

Since China Team was set up last year, Mas and his crew have picked eight Asians to be part of the 25-man sailing team -- five from China, two from Singapore and one from Malaysia.