Final 10

Winner of the Pindar competition to be announced tomorrow

From over 500 entries worldwide, the last ten budding sailors are competing in the finals of the international sailing competition set up by Emma Richards’ sponsor, Pindar.

The final stage of the competition is currently taking place in Portsmouth, where the winner will be announced at 12:30pm tomorrow. They will then go on to begin their lifelong dream of becoming an ocean racing star.

Pindar, a leading international print and electronic media company, who sponsor record breaking round the world yachtswoman Emma Richards launched the competition in December last year to add another member to its already distinguished sailing team.

Among the Final 10 are four candidates from Hampshire along with two from the United States and one from France; the remaining three come from throughout the UK.

During the finals, which are taking place today and tomorrow morning in Portsmouth, candidates will have to undertake a number of sailing based activities and tests in order for the panel to decide on the eventual winner. Throughout the day the finalists will, among other challenges have the opportunity to helm the Pindar Open 60 and race dinghies.

The prize for the winner will be the opportunity to embark on an intensive three year sailing programme. They will become part of the Pindar team participating in some of the leading ocean races, sailing alongside Emma Richards - learning and competing on the world stage.

The competition, which was open to anyone between the ages of 16-23, began with hopefuls having to submit a 250 word entry. A final 20 were then selected to attend a semi finals day in London where they undertook a series of tests and interviews in order for a panel to choose the final 10.

The competition has been set up in conjunction with the RYA who will oversee the training process and the HSBC Education Trust, for whom Emma works as an ambassador.

“After the semi-finals day we had some very difficult decisions to make and I know that choosing the winner will be even harder," commented Andrew Pindar, Chairman of Pindar. "All along the candidates have been of a very high calibre but unfortunately we can only pick one winner. Having now met all the candidates I know that we will find someone who will become a valuable member of the Pindar team.”

Emma Richards added: “I really enjoyed the semi-final day and I can’t wait to get out on the water with the finallists who have all done incredibly well to have got this far. Over the last four years with Pindar I have been incredibly lucky to have an amazing team around me and I look forward to selecting our latest addition.”

The Final 10
James Bird from Hamble, Southampton
Lucy Burn from Warsash, Southampton
Hannah Jenner from Bursledon, Southampton
Hannah White from Lymington
Sean McCarter from Plymouth, Devon
Sophie Luther from New Eltham, London
Lara Caine from Salcombe, South Devon
Tara Thomas from Maryland, USA
Jeffrey Lamont from New London, USA
Servane Escoffier from St. Malo, France