Backing for Brit 49ers

Top two boats receive sponsorship from G4S

G4S, the world’s leading international security solutions group, is delighted to announce its sponsorship of two of Skandia Team GBR’s 49er crews. The UK-based FTSE 100 company has confirmed its allegiance to the 49er class in pledging to support the Beijing Olympic duo, Stevie Morrison and Ben Rhodes, as well as the new combination of Peter Greenhalgh and Chris Draper who have announced their partnership and are making a return to the Olympic classes circuit.

Two-time World Champion and Athens Olympic bronze medallist Chris Draper has teamed up with Peter Greenhalgh, one of the British pioneers in the 49er when it was first introduced as an Olympic class, to begin their Olympic campaign. Both sailors feel they have a sense of unfinished business as far as Olympic sailing is concerned, and after spells away with other projects, they are excited to be rejoining a successful Skandia Team GBR squad: “I’ve gone away and done other things but for me I looked back at my Olympic sailing in the middle of last year and realised that I’d perhaps not given it my all,” explained Draper. “The fact that we’re heading for a home Olympics has been a huge factor as well - you have to give it a shot or risk looking back in a few years time and wonder what might have been.”

The pair are very excited about kick starting their inaugural year together with G4S: Commenting on the sponsorship Peter Greenhalgh said: “Making a decision to take on this new challenge and tackle new disciplines is a huge step for us so to have a brand as prestigious as G4S showing confidence in us from the outset is fantastic. We couldn’t have asked for a more encouraging start to our Olympic campaign.”

The announcement follows news that G4S has also renewed its sponsorship of the British Sailing Team, Skandia Team GBR, for a further four years. After being a Silver level sponsor of the British team in the Olympic and Paralympic classes since April 2006, its decision to continue its partnership marks a commitment to support the UK’s most consistently successful Olympic sport up to and beyond the London Olympic Games of 2012.

This announcement marks an important chapter in G4S and British sailing’s history, Debbie McGrath, G4S, Group Communications Director said: “We are delighted to be extending our relationship with the

Stevie and Ben and we’re particularly keen to welcome Peter and Chris. Through our renewed Skandia Team GBR sponsorship supporting the elite of the Olympic Classes squad to the young sailors of the future, we are very proud to, once again, be backing this impressive sport. There is a natural synergy with the sport that reflects our brand’s spirit and we are honoured to be associated with.”

G4S has been working closely with Skandia Team GBR for three years, backing the team throughout the Beijing Olympic cycle. In addition to supporting the ‘Performance Squad’, G4S is also backing the long term development of aspiring members of the team’s ‘Development’ and ‘Transitional’ squads. As exclusive security provider, G4S’ first class security provision secures sailors with the knowledge that they and their sailing equipment are safe wherever they travel around the world.
Stephen Park, RYA Olympic Manager, is in no doubt as to the partnership’s benefit for members of Skandia Team GBR: “We are delighted to have the invaluable assistance of G4S with us for a further four years. The security provision and funding that G4S supplies, allows us to concentrate on the performance of our squad and not worry about the complicated logistics and security requirements involved with international travel and regattas. Acquiring the backing of such a loyal and dedicated partner is an undoubted asset to us and our sailors.”