Mini round Britain

Cowes-based Ben Rogerson to set sail tomorrow

British Mini sailor Ben Rogerson and his support team, including Brian Thompson, has today confirmed to Ben that he has a green light to start his Mini Transat 6.50m Round Britain & Ireland Record Attempt, supporting the charitable organisation 'Toe in the Water'.

The start will be tomorrow, Tuesday 7 July 2009, at approximately 1530 from the Royal Yacht Squadron Line.

Andy Cassell, Cowes-based Paralympic Gold Medallist, who has helped Rogerson in his sailing career since the early days, will fire the RYS Gun as he crosses the line, and the RYS will take the official time.

With the team putting Mini-Minx through final ground checks and all the gear being loaded and stowed before take-off, Rogerson and the team will run through a final briefing tomorrow morning before leaving the dock in Shepard's Wharf in West Cowes, Isle of Wight around 1430 hrs.

And so we near the end of the beginning of this challenging undertaking - now the real work starts!

Of course this is not to forget the huge thanks and appreciation due to all the friends and companies in Cowes and on the South Coast who have helped Rogerson and Mini-Minx get this far.

"As I have said many times already this Round Britain & Ireland attempt, as a build up to the Mini Transat 2011 Campaign, has been a dream of mine for ages and its absolutely awesome to finally see the start of that dream only 24 hours away," said Rogerson. "I know I have been a real pain over the past few months to all the friends and companies around here who have helped me, having to constantly beg favours, and borrow bits and pieces all the time, I have felt really bad asking, but to a man they have all been stars and just about put up with me, I cannot thank them enough."