The Offshore Academy is GREAT…

The Offshore Academy, Britain’s only centre of excellence for single and shorthanded yacht racing, has been recognised by the National GREAT Britain campaign for its expertise in providing pathways to professional sailing.

Joining the campaign under the ‘Sport is GREAT’ message, The Offshore Academy will sit alongside other British sporting Greats such as Wimbledon, The Premier League, Lewis Hamilton and Wembley Stadium.

The Academy has helped promote and launch the careers of numerous sailors, Academy Alumni who have gone on to compete internationally in the professional sport: Jack Bouttell and Henry Bomby competing in the last Volvo Ocean Race, Jack winning onboard Dongfeng Race Team; Rob Bunce winning the Youth America’s Cup with Land Rover BAR; Sam Goodchild competing on Netflix Narcos in the Route du Rhum; and Richard Mason competing and winning with SAP Extreme Sailing Team, and being selected for the British Sail GP Team. Whilst the focus of the Academy is in shorthanded offshore sailing, the skills learnt are applicable to any professional sailing team.

Henry Bomby, Academy Alumni: “I’ve been lucky to have worked with The Offshore Academy, it was my ‘university’, my ‘apprenticeship’. I’ve gone on to break ocean records and compete in the iconic Volvo Ocean Race; without the Academy’s support it would have been a struggle.  It’s great to see them as part of the GREAT campaign, the Academy has made a big difference for a large group of sailors who now sail with and against each other at the highest levels.”

With the recent inclusion of a mixed crew, double handed offshore event in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the experience and knowledge of The Offshore Academy is well placed to keep Britain at the forefront of offshore sailing and supporting a potential Olympic medal winner.

Get in touch to find out more about the Academy’s partnership programme, you too can join something GREAT!

Footnote

The Offshore Academy

Established in 2009 the goal of The Offshore Academy is to help talented British sailors compete in the prestigious Class Figaro Bénéteau circuit – a single handed offshore circuit based in France.

Both physically and mentally demanding, competing on one of the most demanding racing circuits in the world requires a unique skillset. Through the Academy’s structured training programme, skippers are given the expertise and training they need to race solo in the annual Solitaire URGO Le Figaro – a 2,000-mile, four-stage solo race centred on the English Channel and the Bay of Biscay.

Following in the footsteps of British ocean racers Dame Ellen MacArthur, Mike Golding and Alex Thomson, it is the Academy’s ultimate goal to see one of its sailors victorious on the Vendée Globe podium, the Everest of Sailing, and become the first British skipper to win this prestigious race!

Bringing the best of Britain to the world

 The GREAT Britain campaign showcases the best of what our whole nation has to offer to inspire the world and encourage people to visit, do business, invest and study in the UK. It is the Government’s most ambitious international promotional campaign ever, uniting the efforts of the public and private sector to generate jobs and growth for Britain. The campaign has already secured confirmed economic returns of £3.9bn for the UK.

The UK has a huge amount to offer, with world-class universities, ground breaking research, high tech start-ups and entrepreneurial business people. We are global leaders in the creative industries like music, fashion, design and film. We can offer visitors unforgettable experiences, breath-taking landscapes and iconic attractions.

The GREAT Britain campaign captures the best of all that is familiar about the UK, but also what is new and surprising about this country. Our aim is to encourage people around the world to think and feel differently about the UK.