Pindar Launches Competition To Find New Sailing Star

Pindar, the leading international print and electronic media company who sponsor British yachtswomen Emma Richards and Hannah Mills, today announced the launch of an innovative international competition to find a new recruit for their ocean racing team.

The competition will provide one winner with a unique three-year apprenticeship where they will work as part of the Pindar team, sailing alongside Emma Richards. It will give the winner an incredible opening into the world of ocean racing, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to participate in some of sailing’s most prestigious offshore races. Pindar, who have sponsored Emma Richards for the past four years, have set up the competition to continue their support of sailing and its positive impact with their customers.

The competition is open to anyone between the ages of 16 and 23. The selection process will begin with entrants writing in 250 words why they think that they have the attitude and aptitude to win. A panel of judges will interview the leading 30 entrants, they will also undergo a number of physical and mental tests. The judges will then select ten finalists to attend a day sail in May 2004 with Emma Richards on-board Pindar’s Open 60, where the winner will be chosen.

The competition will be exclusively launched in the January issue of Yachting World and is being run in conjunction with the RYA who will oversee an extensive training programme for the winner, and the HSBC Education Trust, for whom Emma works as an ambassador.

Emma Richards says: “This is a fantastic opportunity. One of the biggest problems in ocean sailing is that it is really tough for young sailors to find enough funding to break into the sport. I was so lucky that first Tracy Edwards, and then Pindar gave me the opportunity to realize my dreams so I’m thrilled that now someone else will have the same opportunity through this amazing competition. Good luck to all entries, and I look forward to meeting the lucky ten finalists in the spring.”

Andrew Pindar, Chairman of Pindar said “We have showed our commitment to sailing through our ongoing sponsorship of Emma and more recently with Hannah Mills. We believe that there is someone else out there that deserves the chance that they may otherwise not get and we want to find them. We have achieved great business success from our sponsorship of Emma, and so it is important that we can ensure continuity.”

Dame Mary Richardson, Chief Executive of the HSBC Education Trust said: “This competition is a great manifestation of our sponsorship of Emma Richards. The Education Trust aims to provide students with opportunities outside of the classroom and this competition will give one young sailor the chance of a lifetime.”

Rod Carr, Chief executive of the RYA said: “The development of sailing relies on input into the grassroots of the sport and the opportunities that this provides. Through this competition Pindar have once again shown their commitment to young sailors and we are glad that we can lend our wholehearted support to this exciting project.”