Finding offshore sailors of the future
The Royal Ocean Racing Club has expanded its long-running Griffin initiative for young sailors aged 18-30, with significant investment in a bid to find the next generation of offshore sailors.
The programme’s goals include building a new pool of experienced and capable crew that RORC members can tap into, as well as helping create the future generation of boat owners.
“We know an enormous number of talented young dinghy sailors don’t transition to larger boats and stop sailing regularly,” Griffin committee chair Jim Driver told Yachting World. The initiative’s aim is to give young sailors the chance to experience offshore racing, and running an offshore campaign, through an accelerated learning programme.
The end goal was to select a team of 20 sailors who’d each receive top level training, followed by taking part in a series of three RORC offshore races in teams of five.
Once applications opened at the end of January, demand was massive, with more than 200 formal applications received from 20 different countries.
Of these, 40 sailors were invited to a three-day selection process in
Cowes in March. This was run by Charles Darbyshire’s Fourthcape project management company, with additional input from John Thorn, director of the former Artemis Academy (alumni include Sam Goodchild and Alan Roberts).
Organisers structured the threeday trials to be more than simply a test. “The major goal is to share knowledge,” says Driver, “and we designed the selection trials so that sailors that do not get through to the squad this year could take away useful knowledge.”
The final squad of 20 sailors encompasses six nationalities, including 11 from the UK, and an
11/9 male/female split. For their first training weekend a world class coach – Shirley Robertson, Dee Caffari, Steve Hayles and Ian Walker – was attached to each boat.
RORC chartered Jeanneau Sun Fast 30s from Cap Regatta for the programme, which in effect seeded a Solent-based fleet of this new one design class. Four boats were used for the selection and training weekends, while a further two are entered in six RORC offshore races this year, enabling each of the Griffin squad sailors to compete in three races totalling around 1,200 miles, without an owner or coach on board.
Initially a three year programme is planned, with more funding anticipated for years two and three, thanks to sponsors including marina company boatfolk, and gear suppliers Ocean Signal and North Sails. In addition, RORC has earmarked £50,000 annually for the programme, while participants pay just £375 each. The plan is to start the 2025 selection process in September this year.