UK centre boosts sport

The Offshore Academy in Cowes, a training centre of excellence for offshore short-handed racing, has been recognised by the National Great Britain campaign for its expertise in providing pathways to professional sailing. It will now sit alongside other British sporting institutions and icons, such as Wimbledon and Lewis Hamilton, by promoting the message ‘Sport is Great’.

This is the UK government’s most ambitious international promotional campaign ever and showcases the best of what Britain has to offer to encourage foreigners to visit, do business, invest and study in the UK.

The Offshore Academy was established in 2009 to help talented British sailors compete in the Figaro class, a single-handed offshore circuit based in France. It was set up with the ultimate goal of helping create the first British winner of the Vendée Globe race, an aim yet to be realised.

Past academy alumni successes include Jack Bouttell and Henry Bomby, who competed in the last Volvo Ocean Race; Rob Bunce, winner of the Youth America’s Cup with Land Rover BAR; and Sam Goodchild, who raced the Class 40 Netflix Narcos in November’s solo Route du Rhum.