Pindar announces sponsorship of top British 18ft skiff

by Media PR on 25 May 2007
Pindar, the leading print and electronic media company and prolific sponsor within the sport of sailing, today announced it’s sponsorship of one of Britain’s top 18 foot skiff racing teams.

Current UK National and UK Series Champions Andy Richards, Andrew Fairley and Dave Richards are one of the favourites for this year’s European Grand Prix circuit. Known as Pindar-Radii they will compete in their first event of the season in Italy this weekend, Saturday 26 May.

Helm Andy Richards, brother Dave Richards (bow) and middleman Andrew Fairley have been sailing together for the past five years, having each come from high performance sailing backgrounds in the Laser 5000 and 49er classes. Dave, a former 420 National Champion and Andy Richards, runner up in the 470 UK trials for the Atlanta Olympics in 1996, first teamed up with Andrew Fairley in the 18ft skiff class in 2002.

2006 was the team’s most successful season to date, being the highest placed European team in the JJ Giltinan Trophy in Sydney as well as being crowned UK National and Series Champions for the second time. Their aim for 2007 is to win the European 18ft Skiff Grand Prix circuit which begins this weekend on Lake Como, Italy.

The European 18ft Skiff Grand Prix is comprised of five events held at some of the continent’s top skiff sailing venues. The event on Lake Como, Italy, will be followed two weeks later by the European Championships on Lake Garda, Italy. July will take the team to Travemünde, Germany, and Sonderborg, Denmark, before finishing in Carnac, France, - the birthplace of European skiff sailing - in September, where the Grand Prix Series winner will be crowned.

Andy and Dave are brothers of round-the-world yachtswoman Emma Sanderson (née Richards) who Pindar sponsored during her solo ocean racing programme, including the 2001-2002 Around Alone Race. Pindar’s sponsorship of Pindar-Radii will work in addition to their on-going sponsorship of World Number One Match Racing sailor Ian Williams, Olympic dinghy sailing hopeful Hannah Mills, and quadriplegic sailor Hilary Lister. Pindar is also busy building an exciting new Open 60, in collaboration with Volvo Ocean Race winner Mike Sanderson, and celebrated designer Juan Kouyoumdjian.

Andy Richards, current UK National and UK Series champion commented: 'It's fantastic news for us to have both Pindar and Radii on board with us this year. They are both passionate supporters of exciting, top level sailing and their help will be instrumental in us striving to achieve our goal in winning the European Circuit trophy this season.'

Andrew Pindar, Chairman of the Pindar Group commented: 'I am delighted to be able to announce Pindar’s sponsorship of Andy, Andrew and Dave in the 18ft Skiff class. I have followed the team avidly as it has climbed the grand prix circuit ladder and look forward to supporting the boys over the coming season. We at Pindar would like to wish them the best of luck at the first event in Como this weekend.'

About the Pindar Group:

Pindar is a leading print and electronic media company who employ 2,000 people in three continents worldwide. The family-owned company was founded in 1836 in Scarborough, UK, where its head office remains today. Pindar has an enviable track record in sports sponsorship and successfully support a number of initiatives that focus on helping individuals realise their sporting potential.

Ambassadors include record-breaking round-the-world yachtsman, Mike Sanderson, recently voted ISAF World Sailor of the Year, World Number One Match Racer Ian Williams, Emma Sanderson (née Richards) MBE, five times World Marathon Canoeing Champion Anna Hemmings and sailing prodigy, Hannah Mills.

For more information: www.pindar.com