The Royal Yachting Association is delighted to announce Mike Golding as a member of RYA Team GBR. Golding will be representing Great Britain in the Vendée Globe 2004 on his Open 60 Ecover under the banner of RYA Team GBR Vendée Globe 2004.

This mutually beneficial partnership represents the best aspects of British yachting as Mike Golding and the RYA will actively promote offshore sailing and shared values about the discipline of offshore racing to young sailors aspiring to enter the world of competition keelboat sailing.

By working in-conjunction with selected sailors from the Volvo RYA Keelboat Programme, Golding and his team will share with them the intricacies and preparation involved in the build up to the Vendee Globe 2004.

RYA Racing Manager John Derbyshire commented: “We are delighted that Mike and the RYA are working in partnership together under the RYA Team GBR banner. Mike is a great ambassador for the sport of offshore sailing and is a terrific example of the possibilities open to young sailors from all walks life if they aspire to a career in competitive keelboat sailing. We believe that our keelboat squad will gain invaluable benefits from this collaboration.”

Mike Golding added: “I am delighted to become a member of RYA Team GBR and work in-conjunction with the RYA and share my experiences as a professional yachtsman with aspiring young sailors. These routes into sailing were not available to me and I am pleased to be able to support the programmes of the RYA, which serve to bring fresh talent into the sport, with a foundation of knowledge and experiences that will help to keep Britain on the sailing podiums.”