Chinese team wins Chester dragon boat race

Jul 8 2010 Chester Chronicle

A CHESHIRE Chinese community group won a place in the final of the Chester Dragon Boat Race 2010 on the River Dee at Chester.

The Wah Lei Chinese Association entered a team in the annual dragon boat race for the first time to raise funds in support of the Hospice of the Good Shepherd.

Team Wah Lei had an impressive start in their first round, taking first place with a half length lead against their nearest rival in 1.09 minutes.

In the second round the team improved their performance with help from the changing winds and passed the finishing line at just over 58 seconds.

Staying close to the top of the leader board in the third round they secured a place as one of six finalists out of 28 teams which competed in the race.

In a nail biting photo finish, Wah Lei finished in sixth place, within two seconds of the winning team Money Super Dragon.

Mia Tan, chair of the Wah Lei Chinese Association, said: “It was an exhilarating and exciting day of competition and teamwork.

“The organisation of the event was first class, and the atmosphere on the River Dee at Sandy Lane was electric.

“I am so proud of Team Wah Lei to have worked so hard to get to the final and it was a tremendous effort which raised over £500 for our chosen charity, the Hospice of the Good Shepherd.”

Dragon boat racing originated in China more than 3,000 years ago and is now popular around the world. Many organisations and companies take part as a team building exercise.

This year's event in Chester raised over £14,000 for local charities.

Dr Alex Teng, a local GP, and captain of Team Wah Lei, said: “We are pleased to have so many members and supporters of the association get involved in this year's race, which helped raise funds for a great local hospice providing highly specialised palliative care for people living with advanced diseases.”

The Wah Lei Chinese Association exists to promote cultural harmony and understanding and to improve the economic and social well being of Chinese people in the community to prevent isolation and discrimination.