Hugh Styles is delighted to announce that Graham Vials has joined the Team and the new pairing is now campaigning for the Olympic Gold in Beijing in 2008.

Graham Vials (24), who has lived in Weymouth for the past three years, has an impressive sailing background: past Optimist national champion (’94); 420 national champion in ’97 and ’98; and was the British representative at the ISAF Youth Worlds in 1997, winning a silver medal in the 420 Class; at the age of 19, he campaigned in the 470 Class for a place at the Sydney Olympics, coming third at the Trials; followed by a four year campaign leading up to the Athens Games, where he supported Rogers and Glanfield as training partner to attain their silver medal.

Hugh Styles says: “Over the last three weeks, Graham and I have been sailing together: training in Weymouth, competing in one regatta, where we had a resounding success in the Holt sponsored Warsash National Ranking event; and finally coming under the microscope at the November Olympic Squad Camp in Weymouth last week. At the end of this camp, I invited Graham to join Team Hugh Styles and he was delighted to accept.”

Graham Vials added: “I am pleased to be part of professional team, focused on an Olympic Gold in Beijing in 2008.”

Team Hugh Styles is pleased to announce that Adam May will be assisting the pairing with its technical development and training throughout the campaign. Hugh Styles commented: “Adam’s support and expertise, built up over the last six years of Tornado campaigns with me, will be an incomparable asset, giving us a technical edge over the competition.” Hugh Styles acknowledged the help and support of the RYA in putting this team together have been invaluable. “Now is an exciting time. We have lots of drive and enthusiasm and are determined to make this campaign a success. We are pleased to announce that, so far, the following sponsors are supporting the Team Hugh Styles’ campaign: Holt, Marlow Ropes, Gill, Fat Face and Craftinsure.com.