GBR Yacht Racing Academy receives top award
Last night members of the GBR Yacht Racing Academy were awarded ‘Best Royal Thames Boat for RORC Racing Series’ at the Royal Thames Yacht Club’s glittering prize winners event in London.
Members of the GBR Yacht Racing Academy were in attendance to collect prizes for wins in Skandia Cowes Week and the RTYC Channel Race and were thrilled to be presented with the additional award.
Peter Harrison, the Academy’s President was in attendance to witness the success of the youth racing scheme that he supports both financially and through the provision of his Farr 52, Chernikeeff 2. He was joined by Andrew Palmer who owns Bear of Britain, Ben Willows from UKSA who manages the GBR Yacht Racing Academy and six members of the 2007 Academy squad.
David Lister, chairman of UKSA’s Trustees who was also present commented, “I am very pleased the GBR Yacht Racing Academy has built on the foundations and success of last year. We have seen improvements in the squad’s performance throughout this year and it was a great pleasure to be present at such an esteemed yacht club such as the Thames to see the trainees receive their trophies and also to hear so many good things being said about the Academy.”
The GBR Yacht Racing Academy develops and supports the lives of young people through yacht racing. Each year 45 young people aged between 18 and 25 are selected from hundreds of applicants to join the Academy and race aboard the two Farr 52’s, Bear of Britain and Chernikeeff 2. Academy trainees are provided with one to one mentoring, on the water coaching, fitness training and leadership and teamwork development to enable them to race at the highest level and grow and develop as individuals.
Shirley Robertson OBE will be officially launching the recruitment campaign for the 2008 squad on Friday 30 November at the Whyte and Mackay Earls Court Boat Show. Applicants will be invited to take part in the Lewmar Winch Challenge on UKSA’s stand, a test of fitness and stamina. People can also apply online at www.uksa.org/racing
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About UKSA:
UKSA is a unique training establishment for the marine environment. Not only does it offer outstanding expertise, fleet and facilities, but its not-for-profit status ensures that every penny it earns is reinvested in maintaining and enhancing the quality of the experience it provides. Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal is Patron to UKSA and Dame Ellen MacArthur, Shirley Robertson OBE, Nick Moloney and Hilary Lister are their Ambassadors.
Yacht Racing Academy enquiries contact:
Ben Willows
01983 203030
07866 596915
Press and Media enquiries
Anna Symcox
GBR Yacht Racing Academy / UKSA
01983 203016
07709 485674
High resolution photos of the event are available on request.