Star sailing with a difference

CNM Estates UK Star Championships to be held at London Boat Show

Over 18 renowned Olympic and World champion sailors, boasting up to 10 Olympic medals among them will be taking part in the London Boat Show’s first ever regatta, the CNM Estates UK Star Championships.

Taking place over 18-20 January 2013, the line-up will include Star class medallists Iain Percy and Andrew Simpson, Ian Walker and Mark Covell, Michael McIntyre and Bryn Vaile, plus Pippa Wilson.

The Olympians, past and present will be racing Star class keelboats and on each boat the mainsail will be completely covered in artwork created by international artists, such as EINE (Samantha Cameron’s favourite), Jamie Gili and INSA.

Ben Ainslie is donating his Finn class sail to Fine Art Sails, the regatta organisers, which will be on display in the main exhibition hall.
This is expected to be a main attraction for visitors in January.

Ainslie commented today about his retirement in today’s Daily Telegraph saying: “If the Star two-handed dinghy had been reinstated I might just have considered giving that a go. It would not have been easy dislodging Iain Percy and Andrew Simpson, should they have decided to do another campaign, but there might have been a chance”.

The show promises to be something truly different and exciting for spectators – sailors and art lovers alike. The idea is the brainchild of Michael Ross, founder of CNM Estates and Fine Art Sails. He said: "I am delighted to have conceived an idea that has caught the imagination of both the sailing and the fine art communities."