Will Sayer - Hyde sailor profile

Will has amassed a host of trophies over his shorthanded racing career so far © Hyde Sails

We unveil the fascinating story behind this young sailor poised to compete in the singlehanded OSTAR…

Many people dream of racing across the Atlantic singlehanded, but few have the determination to make it happen. One of those is 29-year-old Will Sayer, who is set to compete in the OSTAR this May, powered by a new set of Hyde Sails.

Having refitted his Sigma 33 ‘Elmarleen’, which he bought with a student loan back in 2001, Will is busy making his final preparations for the famous race, which starts on May 25. We’ll be following his progress the whole way, but where better to start than where it all started?

At the age of seven…

“I started sailing when I was seven on the Norfolk coast - place called Overy Staithe, apparently where Nelson learnt to sail! It was my mother’s last attempt to find a hobby for my two sisters and myself – we all were hooked!” In the early days Will sailed Toppers. “I didn’t start taking my racing that seriously until I bought a Europe at 16,” explains Will. He sailed RS400s and RS200s before spending a couple of years competing on the Laser 4000 circuit.

“I didn’t start sailing larger boats until I moved down to Southampton to go to uni. Initially I sailed on my friend’s dad’s boat ‘Wavelength’ a Sigma 33, on which I did my first few offshore channel races. I moved on to Quarter Tonners and Beneteau 40.7s.” Meanwhile, Will had bought a Sigma 33, and started to work on her during weekends and university holidays. “The idea of racing or the OSTAR had not even entered my mind at this stage. I was simply fitting her out for cruising,” he explains.

The OSTAR

With ‘Elmareen’ restored, Will soon got the shorthanded racing bug, competing in the Royal Southampton YC Double Handed Series, Petit Bateau series and Royal Torquay YC Triangle. But it just wasn’t enough to satisfy his thirst. The OSTAR is the only Oceananic solo race open to amateurs in standard boats. A race with an impressive pedigree, previous competitors have included Ellen MacArthur and Mike Golding. Will says: “I see the OSTAR as the only option for a sailor wanting to compete in a solo offshore race, without huge financial backing – we race under IRC. It’s also has got a very long and interesting history with a real Corinthian spirit.”

The sails

Obviously Will’s sail choice was crucial; not only was he after race-wining sails, but he needed something he could rely on. Will had a new suit of Hyde’s last year, and his OSTAR sails have just arrived and will be put to the test in the next couple of weeks. What made Will choose Hyde Sails?

“Compared with other sailmakers I have dealt with, Hyde’s customer service is fantastic. I am not a big customer, I own a small boat, but I always feel important to them and they always answer my e-mails and return my phone calls quickly. I was very impressed with my new sails last year. Firstly they arrived ahead of schedule, never had that before!

Paul [Paul Austin, Hyde’s Sales Manager] helped me customise my sail wardrobe to suit my sailing and budget and it worked. We had a very successful season and the sails did what Paul said they would do.”

For more information, see www.hydesails.com or contact Paul Austin (T: +44 (0) 7801 907458).