Interview with Sir Ben Ainslie and Richard Percy ahead of Bart's Bash

Richard Percy and Sir Ben Ainslie on the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation stand at the PSP Southampton Boat Show © Mark Jardine / YachtsandYachting.com

YachtsandYachting.com caught up with Sir Ben Ainslie and Richard Percy, Chief Executive of the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation, during the PSP Southampton Boat Show.

Mark Jardine: So, Ben and Richard, are you all set for Sunday? Ben, what boat will you be sailing for Bart's Bash?

Sir Ben Ainslie: I'm going to be sailing on an RS400 at Queen Mary Sailing Club, which actually is now close to being my home sailing club, with my girlfriend Georgie who's not really a sailor at all so we will be out there having fun and taking in the atmosphere and it'll be a very special day.

MJ: Have you managed to get any practice together on the boat?

BA: What do you think? Of course not! We're just going to be out there taking part. We won't be winning any races or anything like that. We just want to be out there, having fun. It'll be a very special day for everybody, remembering Bart and raising funds for a great foundation.

MJ: Richard, over 10,000 people have already signed up for Bart's Bash. How is the bartsbash.co.uk website going to handle the next few days when another 15,000 people sign up?

Richard Percy: Very well obviously! A lot of planning has gone into it. It's got the capacity to handle these sorts of numbers and I'd like to think that if we get 15,000 people sign up on the day, it'll be a great problem to have.

MJ: Ben, what are the plans for the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation to get more people out on the water and continue his legacy?

BA: Richard really has a huge job as the CEO of this foundation and there are some big plans for the future. Bart's Bash on its own has taken a huge amount of work and effort from all of the team. I think on behalf of everybody taking part I'd just like to mention that and they should take a lot of credit for that. We want to continue with the Bart's Bash and Richard has been working hard on some plans abroad as well to try and have a much broader reach than just in the UK. Some ambitious plans, but I think they're realistic as well. It's exciting.

MJ: So Richard, we're looking at Bart's Bash becoming an annual event?

RP: You never know, watch this space I guess! We'd like to think it could go that way.

MJ: You've got over 700 clubs signed up for Bart's Bash and it's a worldwide event already, continuing to build Bart's legacy. How do you see the event inspiring more people to get on the water?

RP: I think that ultimately, as an event, we're inspiring people to get on the water. I think that this year has been very much remembering Bart and people giving honour to his memory. Going forward into 2015 clearly there's still that element but we need to be fundraising more on a local scale, but internationally for local causes on behalf of the foundation.

MJ: Richard, what are your plans for sailing on Sunday?

RP: I'm sailing a Laser Bahia with my 2½ year old boy, it'll be the first time he's been out in a sailing boat so fingers crossed. We'll probably take it easy I think but if you want to encapsulate inspiring the next generation, then my son William is the next generation.

MJ: Jimmy Spithill laid down the challenge when he said he doesn't mind where he comes overall in Bart's Bash as long as he beats you Ben. What do you say in reply to that?

BA: Jimmy Spithill's all talk isn't he! We know that. Seriously I think it's great though that guys like that are taking part and everybody has such fond memories of Bart, it's amazing how many people he touched. From Sir Robin Knox-Johnston to Jimmy Spithill, he left his mark on all those guys and to have that much support is fantastic.

MJ: Well Sir Ben and Richard, thank you very much for your time and enjoy Sunday.

Over 11,300 sailors are now signed up for Bart's Bash. Make sure you've registered at www.bartsbash.co.uk to count towards the Guinness World Record.