But one Chinese sailing enthusiast, Vicky Song, is trying to put Asia in that cluster.
"I want to be a super dooper good sailing chick," Ms Song says.
She isn't only set to become the first Chinese female to compete in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race, she is also on the verge of becoming the first woman to sail the seventy thousand kilometre round the world race aboard her seventy foot Clipper yacht Qingdao.
It's an amazing feat of perseverance, courage and sacrifice, but surprisingly it wasn't initially that well received by here family.
"My parents more wanted me to be a nice homely girl. Be nice and quiet and gentle. But I am a lot more going for the adventure," she said.
But the 31-year-old's desire to "live history" has created some unforgettable moments on the Atlantic, Indian and Southern Oceans and her parents are in full support of her history making quest.
Ms Song's yacht shares the name of the location that hosted the sailing events at the Beijing Olympics and she is hoping for some golden moments of her own once her journey on the high seas concludes.
When the 11-month journey does end there is set to be a stunning homecoming for Asia's queen of the deep blue,
"I heard there will be a big reception once I am there," she said. "Arriving home is something I think about every day."
And with Qingdao's millions ready to celebrate, it could make Ms Song's party at Constituion dock seem tame.
