British Sailing Team response to UK Sport funding announcement
by British Sailing Team 19 Dec 2020 17:37 AEDT
Ali Young - 2020 ILCA Laser Radial Women's Championship, day 1 © Richard Aspland / British Sailing Team
The British Sailing Team welcomes Friday's announcement from UK Sport outlining a £352 million investment in Olympic and Paralympic sport.
Sailing will receive £21.3 million between 2021 and 2025, UK Sport has confirmed. Sailing remains the fourth highest-funded Olympic sport behind cycling, athletics and rowing.
As well as providing financial security in the run-up to Tokyo 2020, the funding will ensure the British Sailing Team can support athletes targeting success at Paris 2024 and beyond.
UK Sport said it had increased the number of sports receiving funding to 43, with a record 36 now part of the World Class Programme.
It also announced investment in seven "progression" sports - basketball, climbing, fencing, skateboarding, surfing, table tennis and weightlifting - on top of a £3m pot to support national squads.
Ian Walker, Director of Racing at the RYA, said: "Today's announcement is extremely positive for sailing. We are incredibly grateful to UK Sport for continuing to support sailing and all the other Olympic and Paralympic sports, especially given these uncertain times.
"While it's a small reduction on our funding for the Tokyo 2020 cycle, we are confident we can continue to deliver world-class support for our athletes. This funding will give us the financial certainty to head full steam towards Tokyo 2020 and then Paris 2024 where we will aim to continue our strong tradition of Olympic success."