"Pushing back the boundaries"

Local sailor on way to world championships

By REBECCA SMITH

    WHILE most people are still recovering from the over-indulgences of the festive season, sailor Hugh Styles is set for a year which could see him and crew partner Adam West reach the top of their field.

SAILING TO THE TOP Hugh Styles.

    After an excellent season last year the pair, who are already ranked second in the world in the two man sailing class, are bound for pre-Olympic training in Athens.
    It is an exciting prospect. Former Hythe Redoubt Sailing Club member Hugh, 27, from Sandwich, said: "It's going to be awesome and give us the chance to become familiar with the venue and try to make sure we've got our training schedule right and get acclimatised to the conditions out there."

    Then in September follows the challenge of the World Championships which are being held at Martha's Vineyard, off Cape Cod, in the USA.
    Hugh, who has given up his job with British Aerospace to work full time on the pair's sailing campaign, said: "It's going to be hectic season coming up. We are working hard on developing our equipment, training hard at the gym five times a week and trying to get more sponsors."

    Last February Hugh and Adam, who lives in Bristol, came an impressive third in the World Championships held in South Africa.
    They were also placed second in the Tornado European Championships.
    At two regattas held in the Mediterranean the pair came fourth then first in a regatta in Holland - in both cases they were competing against a world class field.
    Hugh is confident they can top this record this year as Adam, 25, is taking a break from his job at British Areospace.
    Hugh said: "We've stepped up another gear and we're working hard at our campaign. Last year we were only on half burner with Adam working as well as competing, sometimes he would compete then have to go straight back to work. We've got to get a jump on the rest of the world. Last year we did a pretty good job now we've got to consolidate that - working more and training more as a team."

    Hugh is also keen on the more visual elements of the sport with a more colourful hull and sails.
    He said: "It should give a lot more enjoyment to the spectators to watch the sport. We're always getting people come up and say can I go in your boat.
    Hugh, whose father is a former commodore at the Downs Sailing Club in Deal, is also focussed on his long term future.
    In October he started a masters in marketing and e-commerce.
    He said: "When I decide to let sailing take a back seat then this is another string to my bow, for now I can use it to help develop our campaign." But for now Hugh's sights are firmly fixed on world domination.
    "We want to push back the boundaries of the sport."
 

A LIFE ON THE OCEAN WAVE: Hugh and Adam in action.