Pindar Ocean Racing Competition finals preview

One winner set to become next Sailing Star in finals of Pindar Ocean Racing Competition

From over 500 entries worldwide there are now only ten remaining in the finals of the Pindar Ocean Racing competition. One of these finalists will be chosen to begin their lifelong dream of becoming an Ocean Racing Star.

Pindar, a leading international print and electronic media company, who sponsor record breaking round the world yachtswomen Emma Richards and Hannah Mills launched the competition in December to add another member to its already distinguished team.

At the finals, which will take place on the 13th and 14th April in Portsmouth, candidates will have to undertake a number of sailing based activities and tests in order for the panel to decide on the eventual winner. Throughout the day the finalists will, amongst other challenges have the opportunity to helm Pindar’s state of the art ocean racing yacht and race dinghies. The prize for the eventual winner will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to embark on an intensive three year sailing programme. They will become part of the Pindar team participating in some of the leading ocean races, sailing alongside Emma Richards; learning and competing on the world stage.

The competition, which was open to anyone between the ages of 16 – 23, began with hopefuls having to submit a 250 word entry. A final 20 were then selected to attend a semi finals day in London where they undertook a series of tests and interviews in order for a panel to choose the final 10. Entries flooded in from around the world and this is reflected in the international nature of the finals, two candidates will fly in from America and one from France while the rest will come from throughout the UK.

The competition has been set up in conjunction with the RYA who will oversee the training process and the HSBC Education Trust, for whom Emma works as an ambassador.

Andrew Pindar, Chairman of Pindar said “After the semi – finals day we had some very difficult decisions to make and I know that choosing the winner will be even harder. All along the candidates have been of a very high calibre but unfortunately we can only pick one winner. Having now met all the candidates I know that we will find someone who will become a valuable member of the Pindar team.”

Emma Richards said “I really enjoyed the semi-final day and I can’t wait to get out on the water with the finalists who have all done incredibly well to have got this far. Over the last four years with Pindar I have been incredibly lucky to have an amazing team around me and I look forward to selecting our latest addition.”

Rod Carr, Chief Executive of the RYA said “I have greatly enjoyed the involvement that we have had with this competition to date and I have no doubt that the eventual winner will be a great ambassador for the sport. I look forward to seeing how the finalists fare on the water and being part of the final selection panel.”