Volvo extend backing

Further support for RYA Youth and Junior racing programmes in the UK

RYA Performance Director John Derbyshire has today welcomed the announcement that Volvo Car UK have agreed to extend their support for Youth and Junior racing in Great Britain.

Volvo have been long-term supporters of RYA Junior racing in the UK, sponsoring the Volvo RYA Champion Club initiative since its launch in 1997 and last year backed three of the RYA’s Zone Championships for the first time.

But for 2009 Volvo will be extending their sponsorship across the RYA’s Junior and Youth racing programmes bringing a further boost to the country’s most promising young dinghy racers and windsurfers.

As title sponsors of the newly-branded RYA Volvo Youth Squad, Volvo will be supporting the cream of Britain’s top under-19 racing talent in the six RYA Youth classes; Laser Standard, Laser Radial, 29er, 420, Hobie 16 and RS:X windsurfers.

And with 10 of those Youth Squad sailors set to fly the flag for Britain at the Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championships in Buzios, Brazil this July, they will now compete under the banner of RYA Volvo Team GBR.

Meanwhile, by also sponsoring the RYA Volvo Transition Squad, those young sailors looking to make the successful move from Junior to Youth classes sailing should now enjoy even greater opportunities.

As well as squad support, Volvo are also focusing on event sponsorship with Youth sailing’s flagship annual event, the newly-titled RYA Volvo Youth National Championships and Trials, taking place at Largs Sailing Club, Scotland between 13-17 April.

And this year Volvo will also be title sponsors of all nine of the RYA Volvo Zone and Home Country Championships, considered key events for any young sailor wishing to be selected for the RYA Zone and Home Country squads, which take place at nine venues across the UK on the weekend of 26 – 27 September.

Derbyshire said: “The long running support of Volvo Car UK makes a significant difference to our sport and extending this support into the Youth programme will provide a great boost to so many of our sailors. We are thrilled that Volvo is keen to support the sport in this comprehensive manner and look forward to continue working closely with them to maximise the benefits for both organisations and the long-term good of sailing in Great Britain.”

Lesley Milne, Head of Events and Sponsorship, Volvo Car UK, said: “Volvo are pleased to be continuing their strong association and support of British Sailing and the RYA. The sponsorship portfolio has been developed to provide a pathway from the grassroots right through to the pinnacle of the sport. Volvo is proud to support some of Britain’s top sailors through Team Volvo for life and support Volvo’s global sailing property, the Volvo Ocean Race. We plan to keep Volvo as the number one choice of car for the UK sailing community.”