Skandia is expanding its Set Sail portfolio of sailing sponsorships by supporting the British Paralympic Association with particular focus on their participation in the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games.

This year’s team includes John Robertson, Hannah Stodel and Stephen Thomas in the Sonar, a three-person keelboat. They have looked particularly strong in preparation races and have high hopes of bringing back a medal.

The race to become the representative in the singlehanded 2.4mR class is currently being closely fought and will be announced later this month.

Skandia’s Group Marketing Director, André Oszmann said: “We are extremely pleased to be adding the BPA to our Set Sail programme. These are exciting times for paralympic sailing and in the short time it has been included as a paralympic sport, Great Britain is already beginning to make a name for itself. We wish the team all the best in Athens.”

Skandia’s support of the BPA will also include sponsorship of a BPA/House of Commons entry in this year’s Round the Island Race on 26 June. The crew, made up of six MPs including Richard Ottoway, Roger Gale, Bernard Jenkin, Desmond Turner, Derek Wyatt and Nigel Evans and members of the BPA sailing team, will be sailing on Peter Harrison’s Farr 50, Chernikeef.