Hanley Energy empowers Irish Offshore Sailing Team to compete with the best
by RL Sailing 30 Jun 2021 06:30 BST
Sardinha Cup © Jean-Baptise D'Enquin / Sardinha Cup
RL Sailing, Ireland's shorthanded offshore sailing team, has been preparing to compete at the highest level of their competitive, endurance sport for over a year. Today, the team, made up of skippers Kenneth Rumball and Pamela Lee, officially announced that global energy innovator Hanley Energy has become an official sponsor.
The support of this successful, Irish-owned company has guaranteed that the team will make it to the starting line of the next critical race in the 2021 competition calendar - the Tour de Bretagne à la Voile and, later in the season, the revered Rolex Fastnet Race.
RL Sailing Team competes in the Beneteau Figaro III racing circuit, known for its intense level of competition, high-calibre of sailors and gruelling races, which see the skippers alone at sea for several days and nights at a time. They will be the only mixed Irish team lining up on the start line.
"We have a history of backing Irish teams and sports people to accomplish the impossible. We give them the support to channel their own energy and try to realise their dreams. We sponsor many different Irish sports, both teams and individuals, from grass-roots right up to elite internationals - endurance is a common theme across them all and the values align closely with our business. We have a keen interest in Irish sailing and understand the level of work, preparation and sacrifice associated with the sport." - Kim Madden of Hanley Energy.
Hanley Energy's support of the team is embedded in the motivation to see an Irish Team compete at the highest level of the sport, with a focus towards qualification and podium results at a European Championship, World Championship and ultimately Olympic level.
The upcoming Tour de Bretagne à la Voile starts on the 3rd of July and will see over 30 international teams race in a series of offshore courses along the French coast. It will be a test of sailors' tactics, navigation, stamina and endurance. Spectators will be able to follow the competition through live tracking devices on each boat and the team will provide race reports in between each leg.
"We are looking forward to tracking the race from afar and receiving updates from Pamela, Kenneth and their team that we can follow across the business. The ability to track the race online, in real-time is a great way for us to feel part of the journey with the RL Sailing team - the ups, downs and everything in between," adds Kim Madden of Hanley Energy.
Hanley Energy are an indigenous, Irish-owned and managed business with 300 employees and international operations in 15 countries. They recognise that the sport of sailing has a global appeal which helps to connect with those markets in a meaningful way. The company enjoys supporting non-mainstream sports that have both an endurance aspect and are aligned with environmental principles.
"It's extremely motivating to have an Irish company like Hanley Energy onboard with our project. They really understand and support the hard work we have put in and are encouraging of our dreams and ambitions to represent Ireland on an international level," says Skipper Kenneth Rumball.
The company first connected with the team after seeing the coverage of the 2020 Around Ireland World Record.' Impressed by the achievement and endeavour, they reached out to discuss how they could get involved with supporting RL Sailing's future plans.
"We're always looking for inspirational sportspeople who take on the most difficult challenges," says Hanley Energy's Kim Madden.
"Hanley Energy respects the aspects of offshore sailing that are unique - endurance, stamina and passion - as well as the understanding of the ocean and the natural world that offshore sailors must have to succeed. It's fantastic to have the support of an Irish company in this international arena," says Skipper Pamela Lee.