SIGHT SAVING SAILORS SECURE SECOND

Nigel Colley, 49, from Lymington, Hampshire and David Bowdler, 53, from Stromness, Orkney completed the Round Britain and Ireland, in aid of international sight-saving charity ORBIS, and came in an impressive second overall.

The competitive sailors have both been sailing since childhood and this two-handed race around some of the UK and Ireland’s most stunning coastline was one of their most memorable races yet.

Nigel is the Managing Director of Sea Ventures (UK) Ltd, a leading yacht retailer, and has provided “Fastrak VII”, a Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 racing yacht. The duo arrived in Plymouth on Monday and the race took more than two weeks to complete.

They raced clockwise around Great Britain and Ireland, with compulsory stops of 48 hours at Kinsale, Barra, Lerwick and Lowestoft. The race was a terrific test of endurance and seamanship, and not for the faint hearted.

Nigel says; “We are thrilled to come second in our class and overall. Considering Fastrak VII is one of the smallest yachts in the race, and was only just beaten by a much larger yacht, I am proud of the result and the quality of the SF 3200 as a serious offshore racing yacht. This and awareness raised for the inspiring work of ORBIS means this has been a great race.”

David says; “This was my first Round Britain and Ireland Race and I am enormously pleased with our placing. Raising the profile of ORBIS and the work they do to improve eye care in some of the poorest communities around the world, was also very inspiring.”