Volvo: Driving British Sailing

News

02.04.12 Light wind start to Palma World Cup: Light wind conditions gave rise to a delayed start on day one of the Palma World Cup regatta, but up and coming 470 women’s duo Sophie Weguelin and Sophie Ainsworth, 2.4mR sailor Helena Lucas and Nick Thompson in the Laser class took an early lead in their respective fleets when racing finally got underway on Monday (2 April).
09.03.12 Volvo Sailing App updated and Available on Android: As part of their continued quest to help turn the nation into armchair sailing experts, today (Friday 9th March) Volvo Car UK launches an updated version of their Volvo Sailing App; the ultimate tool to brush up on your sailing knowledge and follow some of the Country's top sailors progress in their bid for gold this year.
26.01.12 Dempsey in control at Miami World Cup: Team Volvo's Nick Dempsey counts all race wins mid way in the Rolex Miami OCR http://rmocr.ussailing.org/
25.01.12 GBR form continues on day two in Miami: Day two of the Rolex Miami OCR left Team Volvo's 470 Girls and Paul Goodison top of their fleets. Follow all the action here http://rmocr.ussailing.org/
23.01.12 Miami World Cup regatta kicks off 2012 season: Team Volvo kick off their first event of 2012 today (Monday 22nd January) - the Rolex Miami OCR
13.01.12 Entries Open for Falmouth Finn Gold Cup 2012: Entries for the J.P. Morgan Asset Management Finn Gold Cup 2012 have officially opened, the annual World Championships for the Finn dinghy sailing class will be based at the Falmouth Watersports Centre taking place from 13th – 18th May 2012.
01.12.11 GBR sailing boss expecting ‘fantastic’ battles at Perth Worlds: All the Team Volvo Olympic sailors are gearing up for a full on week at the ISAF Sailing World Championships, Perth, Australia.
07.10.11 Olympic Sailor Hannah Mills returns to her Optimist Sailing roots: Recently selected 2012 Olympic sailor Hannah Mills returns to her Optimist roots this weekend (8th-9thOctober) to inspire and encourage over 290 young sailors competing at the Volvo Gill Optimist End of Season Championships.
13.09.11 Celebrity line-up for inaugural IG Markets Hot Lap: This weekend Team Volvo for life sailors Shirley Robertson and Nick Dempsey take on the final day of the Tour of Britain
12.07.11 The Official Team Volvo Round The Island Vodcast: The JP Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race 2011, marked the 80th anniversary of the race, and saw some challenging high seas and stormy conditions for the Team Volvo boats to contend with.
09.06.11 Tough day at the office on first day of gold fleet racing at Skandia Sail for Gold: Day four of the Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta (Thursday 9 June) saw the competition step up a level, with Britain?s sailors enjoying mixed fortunes on this first day of gold fleet racing.
08.06.11 Five top spots for GBR sailors after Weymouth?s ?Big Wednesday?: Fantastic result for Team Volvo for life after three days competing in Weymouth and Portland with Nick Dempsey, Ben Ainslie and the 470 Girls currently top of their classes.
17.01.11 Sarah Ayton soaking up the sun in Miami: We?ve been in Miami a while now and with the weather being so rubbish at home in December, meaning we couldn?t sail as much as we wanted to, it?s been pretty full on as we?ve tried to make the most of the great weather and sailing conditions here.
20.12.10 Pyrenees Adventures: A tough but fun week in Font Remou for Paul and Nick. Just a shame there was no sign of snow...
23.11.10 470 Girls on Perth: After only sailing five races Sarah and Saskia leave Perth in eighth place. We catch up with Saskia to hear her thoughts on the Regatta
22.11.10 Ben back in the Finn: After a tough week competing in Perth Ben finished the Regatta in an impressive fifth place overall. Below he give's his thoughts on Sailing back in the Finn.
16.11.10 470 Girls Down Under: 470 Girls, Sarah Ayton and Saskia Clark are currently in Freemantle, Perth with the Skandia Team GBR Squad. After 10 days training they start competing at the Perth International Regatta tomorrow. Find out how they are enjoying sailing in the sun below...
15.11.10 Latest from Paul Goodison in Perth: Paul Goodison and his fellow Team Volvo for life sailors Ben, Nick and 470 Girls Sarah and Saskia are currently in Freemantle, Perth with the Skandia Team GBR Squad. The team are training in preparation for the 2011 World Championship Test Event. While out their the sailors will be spending 2 weeks training and a week competing in the Perth International Regatta. Find out how Paul is enjoying training in the sun below...
10.11.10 G’day from Perth: Paul Goodison and his fellow Team Volvo for life sailors Ben, Nick and 470 Girls Sarah and Saskia are currently in Freemantle, Perth with the Skandia Team GBR Squad. The team are training in preparation for the 2011 World Championship Test Event. While out their the sailors will be spending 2 weeks training and a week competing in the Perth International Regatta. Find out how Paul is enjoying training in the sun below...
28.10.10 Paul Goodison latest blog update: Great result but some chilly sailing in the Laser at the weekend at Whitstable Q. Good job he is off to Perth at the weekend...

Blogs and video diaries

CV

Team Patience Bithell Profile

After winning a silver medal at the 2011 ISAF World Championships in Perth, Luke Patience and Stuart Bithell were selected to represent Team GB at London 2012. The 25 year olds, who have sailed together since 2009 saw off tough competition from British teammates to take their place in the team and will head to their first Olympic games.

Career highlights

December 2011 – Perth International Regatta, Perth, AUS – 2^nd

July 2011 - 470 Europeans, Helsinki, FIN – 2^nd

June 2011 – Skandia Sail for Gold, Weymouth, GB – 6^th

April 2011- Princess Sofia Regatta, Palma, ESP – 3^rd

January 2011- Rolex Miami OCR, USA – 3^rd

September 2010- 470 Europeans, Istanbul - 3rd

August 2010- Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta, Weymouth, GB - 3rd

August 2009- 470 World Championships, Rungsted, Den - 2nd

Interesting facts– LUKE PATIENCE

Date of birth:04 August 1986

Place of birth:Aberdeen, Scotland

Current hometown:Portland

Class:470

Coach: Morgan Reeser

Currently sails at: Weymouth & Portland Sailing Academy
Greatest sporting achievement: Winning a silver medal at the 2009 470 World Championships with Stuart after just a few weeks sailing together.
Previous Classes: Optimist, 420s,
Hobbies: Surfing, biking, snowboarding plus playing the guitar

Interesting facts– STUART BITHELL

Date of birth:28 August 1986

Place of birth:Manchester

Current hometown:Portland

Currently sails at: Weymouth & Portland Sailing Academy
Why sailing: I started when I was seven, crewing for my old man in a firefly at my local sailing club, Hollingworth lake.
Greatest sporting achievement: Winning a silver medal at the 2009 470 World Championships with Luke after just a few weeks sailing together.
Previous Classes: Mirror, Fireball, 420
Hobbies: Windsurfing, kitesurfing, Surfing, Climbing, most racket sports, I'm also trying to learn guitar and I've got the best vegetable patch on the whole of Portland. I grow a mean carrot!