Ben Anderson joins the Sailingfast Team Riders as a sponsored sailor

Sailingfast is delighted to announce Ben Anderson will be joining the Sailingfast Team Riders. Ben, aged 14, hails from the Isle of Wight and only started sailing in 2020 during lockdown. Ben is currently campaigning an ILCA 4 and a WASZP throughout the UK and Europe.

Towards the end of 2023 Ben won the Palamos Christmas Regatta in the ILCA 4 and won the WASZP End of Seasons Championships in the 6.9 rig. Ben is a member of both the Athena Under 25 and Under 18 Foiling Pathways.

Ben says, “During lockdown, all the ferries had stopped and school was closed so I just sailed every day, up and down for hours in an old Tera, from just outside my house. I’m excited to join the Sailingfast Team Riders, there’s some amazing sailors in the Team and I’m looking forward to spending time with them all.”

Sailingfast director, Duncan Hepplewhite, says, “We first came across Ben at the WASZP Nationals last summer, holding his own even with the smaller rig size. It was fun to watch this newcomer to the class mixing it up in breezy conditions. Ben is super keen, and we’re excited to see what he might achieve in the years to come.”

The first WASZP event of 2024 is the Start of Seasons Championships at Datchet Sailing Club on 23/24 March. With the Athena Foiling Pathways, regattas in Valencia and Mallorca, not to mention the ILCA Qualifiers, the ILCA 4 Europeans in Slovenia and the ILCA 4 Worlds in Portugal, Ben is going to be busy in 2024!  He will also be at the WASZP Games in Norway in August. Take a look at Ben’s Team Rider page to see how he has got to where he is and where he intends to go with his sailing.

Why not pop along to see us, meet Ben and some of our other Team Riders at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show? We will be exhibiting on stand I12 with details of the offers available on ILCAs, WASZPs as well as the RS Sailing Range. With Rory and Duncan’s background in coaching Junior and Youth classes, we are well-placed to assist when it comes to transitioning from Junior to Youth classes, with an eye on the future progression of your sailor.

To book a test flight in the WASZP, contact Rory or Duncan at Sailingfast (www.sailingfast.co.uk) and they can advise you of the dates available.

Sailingfast is an online and mobile chandlery specialist – delivering faster sailors. With dealerships including ILCA, WASZP, RS Sailing, Mackay Boats, North Sails One Design and Selden: whether you are new to sailing or a seasoned pro, we are on the web and at the end of the phone to help with your sailing needs.