Clipper bursary sends 16-year-old sailor to World Championships

The annual Clipper Bursary has been given to 16-year-old Jersey sailor Tom Pollard, and will fund him representing Great Britain in the Laser 4.7 World Championships.

The £1,000 award is going towards the competition being held in Nieuwpoort, Belgium, in July.

Tom, who is St Catherine’s Sailing Club assistant instructor, says he is "very honoured and proud" to be given the funding.

He also wants his international experiences to "inspire the younger members of St Catherine’s Sailing Club and help to improve the standard of sailing".

Since applying for the bursary Tom has also been selected to represent Great Britain in the Laser Radial Youth World Championships in Medemblik, Holland, in August.

Ollie Voak is a local Hobie Cat sailor

Another runners up award of £500 was given to 17-year-old Hobie Cat sailor Ollie Voak.

He is is travelling to Noordwijk in Holland to race in the European Multihull Championships in July.

The Victoria College student says: "Competing in the Europeans against world-class sailors of many different nationalities has long been a personal goal, and the award will make a big difference to me in funding this exciting challenge."

The Clipper Bursary is the legacy of three Jersey campaigns in the Clipper Round-the-World Race, and began in 2007.

Funding comes from:

  • Dandara

  • Les Pas Holdings

  • UBS

  • Former Harbourmasters Capt Roy Bullen, Capt Brian Nibbs and Capt Howard Le Cornu

  • Local boat-owner Nigel Philpott