September 2006

Ross Harvey, sponsored by the 24HR GYM and Sun Diet, has just returned from the Laser Radial European Championships at Riccione on the Italian Adriatic Coast.
He sailed an excellent regatta and was delighted to finish 6th and top Briton in a high class men's fleet.

MORE ABOUT ROSS

International dinghy sailor Ross Harvey from Shaw has been sponsored by the 24 Hour Gym for several years. Ross is 19 and has been sailing dinghies competitively for 6 years. He has progressed through the RYA junior and youth squads, sailing various single and double-handed boats, winning numerous events along the way and representing Great Britain at World and European Championships.

Ross has now graduated to the Olympic Laser single-handed dinghy class in which Ben Ainslie famously won gold at the Sydney Olympics after a last race show-down with Brazilian arch-rival Robert Scheidt. Ross will have the privilege of racing against Robert at a Europa Cup event in Holland later this month! Other events planned for this Summer include the National Championships at Abersoch and the European Championships in Spain.

Ross is steadily progressing up the National Rankings with the aim of reaching the top 10 within the next 2 years and gaining selection for the Olympic Development Squad and qualifying for lottery funding. The ultimate ambition is Olympics 2012 (which might yet be in this country!)

Ross is a former Bradon Forest School and Cirencester College student and now works as a Sailing and Outdoor Activity Instructor at South Cerney Outdoor Education Centre. He is a member of local Cotswold Sailing Club and also Hayling Island Sailing Club where he does most of his training.

Top level dinghy racing requires a mix of mental and physical skills and has been likened to playing chess while doing sit-ups! As much time is spent training in the gym as on the water and the 24 Hour Gym Instructors have been very supportive in putting together the correct exercise and nutrition programmes to enable Ross to reach target weight and fitness levels.

We'll keep you informed of future progress and results!