INEOS Rebels UK looking for podium finish at GC32 Worlds on Lake Garda
by INEOS Team UK 23 May 2018 09:44 BST
23-27 May 2018
Foiling on Lake Garda during a practice session © Harry KH / INEOS Rebels UK
Newly reformed INEOS Rebels UK are gearing up to compete at the GC32 World Championships, Riva del Garda, from 23rd – 27th May. The World Championship is also Act 2 of the Extreme Sailing Series and the British team are looking for a podium finish at their second racing event of 2018.
The INEOS Rebels UK team is made up of some of the country's top youth sailing talent, aged between 19-24 years old. The 'Rebels' initiative aims to change the face of youth sailing in the UK by offering an opportunity for talented young sailors to push themselves as they develop their skills both on and off the water. The programme is also part of INEOS TEAM UK's commitment to supporting the next generation and offering a pathway for young British sailors to enter the Americas Cup.
The team currently sit fourth over-all on the Extreme Sailing Series after Act 1 in March. Three times Extreme Sailing Series winner and INEOS TEAM UK senior sailor, Leigh McMillan leds the team as Helmsman and mentor, with 22 year old Will Alloway as Skipper. Oli Greber takes on the role of Bow, Mark Spearman as Main Trimmer, Adam Kay as Float and Matt Brushwood makes up the squad as Float / Reserve.
Helmsman Leigh McMillan on the forthcoming racing, "We are treating each event the same and working hard to continually improve our performance. It's a competitive fleet but we're looking for a podium finish at each of the events. Since Act 1 we've had some training sessions on the Solent, it's been valuable for the team to get some hours in on the water and we are looking forward to putting these skills to use in race mode in Italy."
INEOS Rebels UK Skipper, Will Alloway shares his thoughts, "Through the INEOS Rebels UK programme we receive support from senior mentors and use of the facilities at the INEOS TEAM UK HQ. It's a real unique opportunity that we've been given and we are looking to utilise it by putting out the best results we can on the water. It's a really exciting time for our sport right now; the boats are fast, the team's competitive and there's some challenging venues to race at, starting with the GC32 World Championships, Lake Garda this week.
"This will be my third time racing in Garda, last time I was here was with the 29ers in 2012 and it's great to be heading back out with the team to one of my favourite racing venues. We're expecting 'classic' Garda conditions of big breeze and hopefully this will allow us to really showcase our winter training."
The INEOS Rebels UK GC32 World Championship support team is made up of Andrew Walsh, a former Extreme Sailing Series and Olympic multihull sailor and coach and Boat Captain, Matty Adams. Young sailors within the programme also have access to further mentoring and the expertise and world class sports facilities at the INEOS TEAM UK HQ in Portsmouth.
INEOS Rebels UK Extreme Sailing Series Act 2 line up:
- Leigh McMillan – Helmsman (INEOS TEAM UK senior sailor)
- Will Alloway - Skipper/Trim
- Oli Greber – Bow
- Mark Spearman – Main Trimmer
- Adam Kay – Float
- Matt Brushwood – Float / Reserve
- Andrew Walsh - Coach
- Matt Adams – Boat Captain
Extreme Sailing Series 2018:
- Act 1: Muscat, 14 - 17 March – 4th
- Act 2: GC32 World Championship, Lake Garda 23 May – 27 May
- Act 3: Barcelona 14 – 17 June
- Act 4: Cascais, Portugal 5-8 July
- Act 5: Cardiff, 24 - 27 August
- Act 6: San Diego, 18 - 21 October
- Act 7: Los Cabos, 29 November – 2 December