My “Dual Doctorates”: Navigating Academia and the High Seas

In April 2010, I embarked on a journey to pursue my doctoral degree under the guidance of Prof. Simon Chadwick at Coventry University. This decision stemmed from my frustration with the stagnant sports industry in China and its lack of professional development caused by its all-state-supported sports system. Anticipating that it would take at least another five years for the sports business in China to truly flourish, I decided to spend that time expanding my knowledge in the UK where the 2012 Olympics would be held. Fortune favoured me, and I was awarded a scholarship.

I initially planned to put my consulting business, China Sports Business, into dormancy and dedicate three peaceful years to my doctoral degree. However, life had other plans for me.

As I entered the second year of my PhD studies in the early summer of 2011, a call from a close friend unexpectedly set my journey on a new course. Her company had been contracted by Volvo Group to deliver TV coverage for the 2011–2012 Volvo Ocean Race to the Chinese market, but she was unsure about how to proceed.

I rose to the challenge, donning my ‘fixer’ hat once again. Leveraging my expertise in media rights sales and my connections with CCTV5, I seized this opportunity and delivered the TV coverage for the Volvo Ocean Race.

This endeavour opened the door for me to the world of offshore sailing, a sport I quickly grew passionate about. At a Volvo Ocean Race gala dinner in Sanya…