Scott Wallis wins £2000 Insurance4dinghies sponsorship

by Francesca Breeze 27 May 2011 09:15 BST

Fourteen year-old dinghy sailor Scott Wallis from West Wellow, near Romsey, Hampshire, is one step closer to fulfilling his dream to become an Olympic Champion after receiving a £2000 sponsorship package from Insurance4dinghies.

The firm teamed up with yachtsandyachting.com in March, inviting sailors aged 16 years or under to apply for financial support to help with their training, travel and equipment costs. Clubs across the UK also issued email alerts.

Scott’s entry was chosen ahead of 50 applicants. Already a seasoned open circuit, national and world championship competitor, he won his first title – 2005 Optimist Nationals (regatta fleet) – aged eight. Two years later Scott became Junior National Champion and since then has gone from strength to strength.

His sponsorship success follows an outstanding 2010 Optimist sailing season. Highlights include:

• 1st GBR Sailor (2nd overall) Annual Magic Marine Easter Regatta, Braassemermeer, Holland Winner of GBR selections, Portland and Pwllheli - April/May – resulting in qualification for Junior Gold Cup and World Championships
• 2nd Inland Championships, Grafham - May
• 1st Royal Lymington Yacht Club Open - June
• 1st Hayling Island Open - June
• 1st Nieeuwpoort Week Optimist Regatta, Flanders, Belgium – July
• 5th GBR sailor British Optimist Nationals, Portland - July
• 1st Welsh National Championship, Pwllheli - August
• 1st Papercourt Open, Guildford - September
• 2nd Belgian Nationals, Ostend – September
• 4th Junior Gold Cup, Bermuda – October
• 6th Vigo Regatta, Spain - October
• Top GBR sailor (50th overall) World Championships, Malaysia – December

Scott is a member of Spinnaker Sailing Club in the New Forest and earlier this year, swapped his Optimist for a 420. Sailing with partner Alex Curtis, they competed in the RYA selection series at Datchet, Poole and Pwllheli, finishing 13th at Poole. They were placed 16th in the Youth Nationals, taking 1st place in race four and 2nd in race 13 – impressive for a new pair in the class.

“I really enjoy the technical challenge of the 420,” Scott comments “and am looking forward to competing in this season’s events.”

Insurance4dinghies is part of insurance provider, Towergate Mardon, and its sponsorship will help pay Scott’s training and racing costs. He’s keen to receive coaching and gain race experience during the summer in order to maximise his chances of securing a place in one of the RYA squads this autumn.

Dad Graham says: “I’m happy to support my sons in their sailing but it does get financially tricky when there are three sailing competitively. I’m therefore delighted insurance4dinghies is supporting Scott – it’s given him a real confidence boost and will help him further his sailing career.”

Insurance4dinghies Managing Director Nigel Mills wanted to help an Olympic hopeful so their energies can be channelled into achieving success rather than worrying about the financial pressures.

It appears this is working. Scott concludes: “This is a great honour and will be a big help with my sailing and going to other events and training. In the short term, I’m working towards being in the RYA Transitional Squad and in the long term, I’m keen to qualify for international events in the 420 class and eventually campaign in one of the Olympic classes.”

Over the coming year, Insurance4dinghies and yachtsandyachting.com will monitor Scott’s progress by posting blogs and diary updates on their websites.