A FORMER member of the West Wilts Youth Sailing Association based in Westbury has gone on to win the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup, one of the world’s top sailing challenges.
Competing in Bermuda last month, Rob Bunce was the skipper for the Land Rover Ben Ainslie Racing (BAR) Academy Team. Fending off competition from 12 teams from all around the world, Rob and the Land Rover BAR Academy Team sailed to victory finishing two points ahead of their nearest rivals, the New Zealand Sailing Team, after completing 12 races.
News of Rob’s victory has delighted his former Westbury based sailing club where his career began. “There is enormous pride from West Wilts Youth Sailing Association (WWYSA),” said chief instructor Chris Mulholland.
“It is great to see one of our youngsters progress and mature and find himself on the world stage. He’s sailing with Olympic sailors and ones ahead of their game.
“Rob joined us as a youngster around the age of eight or nine and soon got involved in the Royal Yachting Association and single-handed racing. He also qualified as an instructor whilst at WWYSA.”
As news of the win spreads, Chris is hoping that Rob’s story will inspire more of Westbury’s youth to get involved with the sport. “It’s great that he is sowing the seeds and getting more people enthused about the sport.
“From these little beginnings this is what you can achieve if you put the time and effort in and become passionate about sailing.
“We wish Rob all the best for the future.”
WWYSA is a charitable trust with the primary aim of introducing young people between the ages of eight and 18 to the sport of sailing.
Starting in 1967 the club, which is a Royal Yachting Association recognised teaching centre, will be celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. More information can be found on the website http://wwysa.org.uk/
About the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup
The brainchild of Austrian double Olympic Gold Medalists Roman Hagara and Hans Peter Steinacher, the first Red Bull Youth America’s Cup regatta was launched in San Francisco, California, USA in conjunction with the America’s Cup 2013.
The purpose was to provide an unprecedented career path by identifying the world’s top young sailors and helping to prepare them for the challenge of America’s Cup racing.
America’s Cup teams loaned the youth series 45-foot training boats – longer than a city bus – and the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup was a hit, with teams aged 18–24 delivering highly competitive racing.
Today, every America’s Cup team has one or more sailors with background in the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup.
