Students set a course for success in international sailing challenge

A team of talented sailors from Plymouth University will be taking on some of the world’s most experienced crews during a 16-day stage race across the Arabian Gulf.

The students will be taking part in Sailing Arabia – The Tour 2014, which will see them travelling in the region of 800 nautical miles over the space of 16 days.

It is the second time the team has taken on the challenge, and they have already set their sights on the podium, having achieved a fifth place finish when they competed in 2013.

The eight sailors are all members of the Plymouth Sailing Team, and make up the only student crew in the event, with the others made up of professional sailors based all over the world.

Skipper Marcel Herrera, who is studying for a BSc in Navigation and Maritime Science, said: “Last year, we had the benefit of being a bit of an unknown quantity, and sailed in under the radar with no real pressure. Our success in 2013 earned us the respect of our competitors so this year, we not only have higher expectations, but the other teams know about our potential. It will be an even bigger challenge, but it is a fantastic and exciting race to be involved in and another opportunity to broaden our horizons.”

Sailing Arabia – The Tour starts in Bahrain on Sunday 9 February and will travel through Qatar, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Ras Al-Khaimah before its scheduled finish in Muscat, Oman, on Monday 24 February.

The Plymouth team – who met each other after joining the University’s Yachting Team – will be competing in the event as Team Messe Frankfurt, after they secured sponsorship from the major global exhibition company, and also have backing from Plymouth University.
They plan to leave the UK later this week for a period of acclimatisation, where they will have to adjust to conditions vastly different to that currently being experienced in the South West.

Professor Richard Stephenson, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Student Experience at Plymouth University, said: “At Plymouth University, we have an excellent track record of attracting elite level sportsmen and women, and then helping them to exceed their sporting and academic expectations. We recognise that sporting success has the power to inspire not just those participating, but the entire university community. I hope the Plymouth team can show the world what can be achieved here, and demonstrate the student experience and range of opportunities available really are second to none.”

For more information about studying at Plymouth University, and the range of experiences and opportunities it can open up, visit www.plymouth.ac.uk