Pindar has today announced its sponsorship of one of Britain’s top 18 foot skiff racing teams. Current UK National and UK Series Champions Andy Richards, Andrew Fairley and Dave Richards are one of the favourites for this year’s European Grand Prix circuit. Known as Pindar-Radii they will compete in their first event of the season in Italy this weekend, Saturday 26 May.

Helmsman Andy Richards, brother Dave Richards (bow) and middleman Andrew Fairley have been sailing together for the past five years, having each come from high performance sailing backgrounds in the Laser 5000 and 49er classes. Dave, a former 420 national champion and Andy Richards, runner up in the 470 UK trials for the Atlanta Olympics in 1996, first teamed up with Andrew Fairley in the 18ft skiff class in 2002. 2006 was the team’s most successful season to date, being the highest placed European team in the JJ Giltinan Trophy in Sydney as well as being crowned UK National and Series Champions for the second time. Their aim for 2007 is to win the European 18ft Skiff Grand Prix circuit which begins this weekend on Lake Como, Italy.

The European 18ft Skiff Grand Prix comprises five events held at some of the continent’s top skiff sailing venues. The event on Lake Como, Italy, will be followed two weeks later by the European championship on Lake Garda, Italy. July will take the team to Travemünde, Germany, and Sonderborg, Denmark, before finishing in Carnac, France in September, where the Grand Prix Series winner will be crowned.

Andy and Dave are brothers of round-the-world yachtswoman Emma Sanderson (née Richards) who Pindar sponsored during her solo ocean racing programme, including the 2001-2002 Around Alone Race. Pindar’s sponsorship of Pindar-Radii will work in addition to their on-going sponsorship of World Number One Match Racing sailor Ian Williams, Olympic dinghy sailing hopeful Hannah Mills, and quadriplegic sailor Hilary Lister. Pindar is also busy building an exciting new Open 60, in collaboration with Volvo Ocean Race winner Mike Sanderson, and celebrated designer Juan Kouyoumdjian.