News release University's young sailing stars take on the OSTAR challenge
May 19 2009
Two Southampton Solent University students are already breaking records as they prepare to compete in the Original Single Handed Trans-Atlantic Race (OSTAR).
As the youngest ever competitor in OSTAR's history, 18-year-old Oscar Mead will be forgoing the usual end of term celebrations and will be getting ready to face the 3,000-mile trans-Atlantic voyage. If the first-year BEng (Hons) Yacht and Powercraft Design student successfully completes the race - from Plymouth to Rhode Island - he will become the youngest person ever to do so.
Despite his young age Oscar is aware of the history of the race, "Although I keep getting reminded about being the "youngest" ever entrant I am really trying to focus on the fact that it is a race, so I want to race well, but in truth I want to finish because being the youngest ever finisher means something, whereas just crossing the start line, I can do!"
At just 21, Katie Miller is the youngest female competitor in the OSTAR - a notorious challenge which has tested sailing legends Francis Joyon, Michel Desjoyeaux and Ellen MacArthur.
Katie - Raymarine YJA Young Sailor of the Year 2006 – recognises the daunting undertaking ahead, but she is used to pressure. She will be setting off for the OSTAR starting point in Plymouth just days after handing in her final-year dissertation. "I'm just looking at it like any other race," said the final-year BEng (Hons) Yacht Production and Surveying student. "Ideally, I would like to have had a go at crossing the Atlantic before this race, but that's just the way it goes with solo sailing. I hit some pretty bad storms in one race last year and coped fine."
Southampton Solent University's Vice Chancellor, Professor Van Gore, said: "Katie and Oscar continue a great sailing tradition at Southampton Solent University. I am proud of the determination they have shown in getting to this point – they are both exceptional talents. I will be following their progress across the Atlantic with great interest and I wish them every success and a safe voyage."
The world's oldest solo ocean challenge will start on Monday 25th May at 12.00 noon from Plymouth Sound. To follow Oscar and Katie's progress go to www.Ostar2009.co.uk||.
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