RL Sailing, the shorthanded, offshore sailing team made up of joint skippers Kenneth Rumball and Pamela Lee have signed up a new sponsor for their next race in the 2021 competition calendar – the Tour de Bretagne à la Voile and, later in the season, the Fastnet Race in August.
RL Sailing Team competes in the Beneteau Figaro III racing circuit, known for its intense level of competition, high-calibre of sailors and gruelling races, which see the skippers alone at sea for several days and nights at a time.
They will be the only mixed Irish team lining up on the start line.
“We have a history of backing Irish teams and sportspeople to accomplish the impossible. We give them the support to channel their own energy and try to realise their dreams. We sponsor many different Irish sports, both teams and individuals, from grass-roots right up to elite internationals – endurance is a common theme across them all and the values align closely with our business. We have a keen interest in Irish sailing and understand the level of work, preparation and sacrifice associated with the sport.” – Kim Madden of Hanley
As regular Afloat readers will know, Hanley Energy also supported Gregor McGuckin in his Golden Globe Race round the world bid in 2018.
The upcoming Tour de Bretagne à la Voile for Rumball and Lee starts on the 3rd of July and will see over 30 international teams race in a series of offshore courses along the French coast. It will be a test of sailors’ tactics, navigation, stamina and endurance. Spectators will be able to follow the competition through live tracking devices on each boat and the team will provide race reports in between each leg.
“It’s extremely motivating to have an Irish company like Hanley Energy onboard with our project. They really understand and support the hard work we have put in and are encouraging of our dreams and ambitions to represent Ireland on an international level,” says Skipper Kenneth Rumball.
