Hot on the heels of our alumni sailing success at the Rio Olympics, the University’s Sport and Wellbeing department has purchased a yacht to further strengthen our watersports provision.
The new yacht, named the Flying Formula, is a Sigma 38 racer cruiser that is category 2 coded, allowing her to sail up to 60 miles offshore. Stored at Town Quay marina, the yacht is in the perfect location for easy access to the Solent.
The vessel will help maintain the University’s reputation as having the best watersports facilities in the UK. Recent graduates Giles Scott (Geography and Geology, 2008), Alison Young (Civil Engineering, 2008) and Ben Saxton (Business Studies, 2011) all competed in sailing at the Rio Olympics, with Scott dominating the Finn class and taking gold.
James Topping, Watersports Centre Principal, says:
Our students have always dominated the UK sailing scene, and slowly we have been purchasing more equipment to support their success. The Flying Formula will give our sailing teams the opportunity to train and race in a university craft, and is evidence of the support that Southampton gives to the student sporting community.
By owning the yacht, the University can offer the charter costs at a lower price than local companies. The Flying Formula cost £33,000, but James hopes that this will be offset by allowing students, staff and external charters to use the vessel.
While the yacht undergoes preparatory works before going into commission at the end of September, the Sport and Wellbeing team is busy writing user manuals and setting out the plans for her usage.
The team will be running induction sessions for skippers and first mates with the necessary qualifications, demonstrating how the yacht works and allowing groups to take it out.
Sport and Wellbeing will also be running staff trips for up to eight people, where the Flying Formula will go out for the evening and sail the Solent, chartered by an experienced skipper. This will be open to staff and their families for £10 per person.
To find out more, view the boat or even book a sailing trip, contact James Topping at j.w.d.topping@southampton.ac.uk.
