Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge at the London Boat Show

Sail Training International, ASTO and some the trainees taking part in the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge this year were at the London Boat Show on 15 January, to promote the event and sail training in general.

Craig Burton of ASTO started off the half hour slot on the main stage with a summary of what sail training is all about. Paul Bishop, the race director for the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge then talked about what The Tall Ships Races are all about and how people can get on board before Andrew McCall outlined the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge.

Charles Darwall, 24, who will sail on Jolie Brise, spoke of his experience of sailing in the previous Atlantic event, Tall Ships 2000, when he was just 16. Charles was so impressed by his experience that he is now at Warsash Maritime Academy studying to become a Merchant Master Mariner.

Former Dauntsey’s School student Zoë Hamersley, 18, will also be sailing on Jolie Brise from Tenerife to Bermuda and then on to Charleston as part of her gap year. Zoë has sailed many times on Jolie Brise and has also just completed the ARC, an Atlantic race from Gran Canaria to St Lucia on a Nicolson 55, an experience she says was unforgettable and has made her keen to repeat the experience in the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge.

Kerrie Jones, a 22 year old from Bristol, was also on stage and talked about how sailing on Rona II has helped build her self confidence. She will sail as a Watch Leader on Rona II. Kerrie has just qualified as a Sports Therapist and is currently looking for a job but says as soon as she heard about the opportunity to take part in the Atlantic Challenge, she put her name down immediately.