Sailing stars to visit NSSA National Youth Regatta
Two stars from different parts of the sailing world will be visiting the National Schools Sailing Association National Youth Regatta being held at Carsington Water in Derbyshire between July 20 and 25.
Former Skandia Team GBR member Rob Wilson and Raymarine Young Sailor of the Year 2006 Katie Miller are both scheduled to come to the week long event that involves youth sailors from right around the country.
Rob narrowly missed out on selection for the Beijing 2008 Olympics in the multihull Tornado Class and is now involved with North Sails who are facilitating his attendance at the event. Rob has a wealth of experience including racing, coaching and achieving an Honours degree and a Masters in Business, so he has a lot to offer as a racing sailor and a role model to the young sailors at the event.
Katie Miller has had a much different experience to date and only started sailing in 2000 while on holiday in Greece. Since then Katie has had a meteoric rise in the sailing world and has circumnavigated the British Isles solo, is planning to race across the Atlantic and is involved as a helm with the Ellen MacArthur Trust providing children suffering from cancer, leukaemia and other serious illnesses the opportunity to experience the thrill of being afloat.
Katie will be at the event to welcome the sailors as they arrive from around the country to come and compete for their County Team as well as for individual honours in the scheduled races. Katie is now studying Yacht Production and Surveying at Southampton Solent University. She is continuing her sailing ambitions while at university and her new two year plan reaches its climax in 2009, with the OSTAR single-handed trans-Atlantic race.
Rob will be coming to the event on Wednesday afternoon and will be running a Racing Sailing Workshop as well as being available for hints and tips and a chat about his experiences at the top of racing sailing. Rob will also attend the Commodore’s Reception on the Wednesday evening where he will meet with local dignitaries and the sponsors and organisers of the event.
Shore Team Leader Sally Hadden said: “It is fantastic that top sailors are prepared to come to support youth sailing events and perhaps provide that spark of inspiration. This means that our young competitors can consider what’s possible for them if they want to realise their dreams. We’re really grateful to Katie and Rob for taking the time to come to the regatta.”