sponsorship

ok most of our guys have white transit vans

they can at least stand up lol

im stilll jelious anyway!

ok, thanks for the advice etc! much apreciated

First of all good luck with funding sponsorship, however there is plenty of time between now and then to generate funds yourself and if you get sponsorship well that is a bonus (a new CII rig perhaps)! You do not want to rely on getting sponsorship and miss going to a great event…

 

When I was at University I used to coach every day possible! The only racing I did was the ‘Qualifier’ events and one week a year (National or World Championships, both if I was very lucky). Coaching kept me out on the water and I feel has taught me a lot as well as helping me raise funds. Try working at lots of different venues and with different classes and it will certainly help your own sailing.

 

As for getting to the event you can do things on the cheap. Try and work with two or three other people. You can easily do the drive in one hit (or maybe sleep in the car for one night) when you get there sleep in the car for the championship (I have a bed in the back of my van which makes things a bit more comfortable) or bring a tent. If it gets cold (unlikely in garda) chuck your under cover over the top of the car to provide extra insulation. Remember catch the ferry on fumes and come back with a full tank of fuel (as it is much cheaperr on the continent, especially Luxemburg)

 

Better still (assuming you can drive by the Europeans) take someone else’s boat for them, covering your transport costs. Most fleets have people who are money rich and time poor and would be happy for someone (time rich and money poor) to take there boats for them and collect them for the airport.

oi! dont be horrible!! poor boy!

You do need to be VERY good.  There is not enough money available for the planks at the back.  However if you sail an Olympic class you can do the Holt series.  There is cash prizes for non funded sailors.  But you have to be very very good to win it.