New Volvo RYA Keelboat squads unveiled

More than 40 of Great Britain’s most promising big boat sailors have received a major boost in realising their yachting ambitions after being selected for the prestigious 2008-09 Volvo RYA Keelboat Programme (VKBP).

Handpicked from a series of nationwide Open Keelboat Training events over the year, a total of 46 sailors were chosen for the three highly-competitive Programme squads – National, Northern and Southern – after undergoing a vigorous three-day selection trial at Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy last month.

18 new members have been invited to join the VKBP Northern and Southern squads while nine of last year’s Regional squads have progressed into the elite National Squad.

With the Programme acquiring the TP52 John Merricks II at the start of the last season, fitness and physicality have been increasingly important considerations in this year’s selection process.

David Atkinson, RYA Racing Services Manager, is confident the 2008-2009 Programme sailors will help lead the RYA charge at many major national and international inshore, offshore and match racing events during the next 12 months.

He said: “We are very pleased with the standard of sailors we have not only acquired for the forthcoming season but also the sailors we have retained. As we had hoped it would, having the TP52 has already begun to take the Programme to the next level and all the sailors are increasingly appreciating what it takes to race her competitively.

“It is not just about a sailor’s crude ability on the water rather their attitude, potential and capacity to recognise and make the most of the unique opportunities afforded to them as Programme members.”

The Volvo RYA Keelboat Programme was launched five years ago to give young sailors aged between 16 and 24 the chance to establish themselves in the world of keelboats whether Junior dinghy champions or experienced yachtspeople.

Those selected for the squads enjoy the benefits of having unparalleled access to specialist RYA keelboat training and coaching, grants, placement on viable keelboat race campaigns and use of the RYA’s own fleet of eight J80s as well as the John Merricks Sailing Trust-loaned TP52.

No fewer than five sailors in the 2007-08 Programme set-up are currently involved in the Volvo Ocean Race - National Squad sailors Scott Millar and Henry Foster are joined by VKBP mentor and former squad member David Carr as part of the Green Dragon team’s campaign while fellow mentors and former VKBP sailors Ed Hill and Scott Gray are also working with Delta Lloyd and Team Russia respectively.

Meanwhile, also in 2008, Nick Cherry (National) and Rachel Howe (mentor) sailed on Hugo Boss II in the iconic Rolex Sydney to Hobart Race, Cherry later acting as a training partner for the Olympic gold medal-winning Yngling trio of Sarah Ayton, Sarah Webb and Pippa Wilson in their preparations for Beijing, while Tudur Owen (National) has established himself on the prestigious World Match Racing Tour as part of the Mirsky Racing Team.

Gemma Farrell (Mentor) and Bethan Carden (National) took part in the ISAF Women’s Match Racing World Championships in April while Charlotte Lawrence (Northern) led a team featuring several of her VKBP squadmates to 2008 European University Women’s Match Racing Cup glory the following month.

Atkinson added: “It has always been that being part of the Volvo RYA Keelboat Programme opens up fantastic opportunities for young sailors to be invited to get involved in higher level big boat activity but as the profile and reputation of the Programme has become further enhanced so those doors seem to be opening sooner for those who want most to make it happen.”