UK Mini race gets backing

Fuel Cell Systems comes on board to support the Solent 650

Fuel Cell Systems, the UK's most experienced integrator of fuel cells for commercial applications, will sponsor this year’s UK Solent 650 race. The singlehanded event for Minis, run by Lymington Town Sailing Club, will set sail on 5 May from Lymington.

Organiser of the Fuel Cell Systems Solent 650 race, Keith Willis said: “I am thrilled that Fuel Cell Systems has stepped forward to support this race. The British mini scene is growing stronger and it is vital we are able to carry on running successful races and attracting more sailors to our events.”

The Solent 650 will be the first of two official Classe Mini races running in the UK this May. The UK Solent 650 will send the fleet of 21ft long ocean-going Minis around the Isle of Wight, down to Wolf Rock off Land's End and back crossing the finish line off Plymouth.

A strategically and physically demanding course with tidal gates and ever-changing weather conditions, the race will feed into the double-handed UK Mini Fastnet Race which sets off from Plymouth on 12 May.

This year will be the first time the race can be sailed by both single and double-handed competitors and has so far attracted entries from four nations.

Tom Sperrey, Managing Director of FCS said: “We are very proud to become the title sponsors for the Solent 650. Fuel cell technology is becoming ever more commonplace in the sailing world, providing a clean, quiet and efficient way of generating energy for on-board
marine applications.

“We’re seeing a growing trend by many offshore racing sailors switching to fuel cells as their primary source of power, having recognised and experienced first-hand the advantages fuel cell technology brings to the yachting community. Boat owners are attracted by the lightweight, compact design that offers silent running and zero harmful emissions.”

He continued: “The mini class presents one of the toughest environments for both man and machine to operate in and our fuel cells have been tried and tested on this class of racing yacht under extreme conditions. We are happy to give something back to an event such as this, and in particular to this class of racing which has endorsed our product so well.”

The fleet competing in the Fuel Cell Systems Solent 650 race will assemble in Lymington from Friday 3 May and will start on 5 May at 13:00.