500 entries for Pindars Sailing Scholarship competition
by Victoria Fuller, Pitch PR 10 Feb 2004 12:43 GMT
Budding sailors have under a week to submit their entry into the Pindar sailing competition which offers a once in a lifetime opportunity to become the next ocean racing star. The entries have been pouring in from around the globe and organisers have been staggered by the response, receiving over 500 entries to date.
Pindar, the leading international print and electronic media company who sponsor Emma Richards and Hannah Mills launched the exciting competition in December. Working alongside Emma Richards, the winner will embark on an intensive three year sailing programme to be part of the Pindar team in some of the world’s leading ocean races. The competition has attracted a broad range of entrants ranging from those who have extensive sailing experience to others who have none. Judges, however, will be looking for someone who stands out in demonstrating the best attitude and determination to succeed.
The competition has been set up in conjunction with the RYA who will oversee the training programme, and the HSBC Education Trust, for whom Emma works as an ambassador. The competition was launched exclusively in Yachting World magazine and all details can also be found online at www.pindar.com/yachtingworldcompetition
Andrew Pindar, Chairman of the Pindar Group commented “We have had the most amazing response to the competition. We have received entrants from all over the world with a huge range of experience and backgrounds. I am very excited about meeting the candidates in March, the calibre of entrants looks set to make the next stages very competitive and the decisions for the panel very difficult.”
Emma Richards commented “I’m thrilled that this competition has received so many entries and it’s incredible that someone else will be able to share the support of such a great sponsor that I have received over the past four years. I can’t wait to get out on the water with the finalists and I look forward to welcoming the winner as part of the team.”
Anyone between the ages of 16 and 23 can enter. The closing date for entries is the 14th February after which a shortlist of candidates will be invited to attend a day of interviews and tests in London. A panel of judges will then select 10 finalists to spend a day sailing with Emma Richards, after which the overall winner will be announced.