The Royal London Yacht Club (RLYC) has launched a Performance Initiative to provide funding for young persons who have world class and Olympic potential in yacht racing.

Sponsorship has been provided in 2008, in conjunction with Roger Duckworth’s Highland Developments, to members Rachel Larman and Henry Bagnall: Rachel is a key member of the Women’s Match Racing team who were 4th in the World Championships earlier this year; Henry is campaigning a Finn and was 14th in their World Championships in February.

The RLYC are also sponsoring Chris Rashley (19) from the Isle of Wight. Chris was selected for the RYA Tornado Olympic Squad in 2006 at the age of 17. When the Tornado was deselected from the Olympics in late 2007, he moved across to the very competitive 49er skiff.

Chris is hoping to be selected for the RYA Olympic Development Squad and receive RYA funding by the end of this year. He is currently campaigning his 49er with crew Matt Gotrel full time and is almost entirely self-funded. He has already been in the top 5 GBR boats at 49er events at Las Palmas, Hyeres and Holland Olympic class events and is currently training with the GBR Olympic 49er representatives Stevie Morrison and Ben Rhodes for Kiel Olympic Week and other key events later this season.