Bart´s Bash: 7,300 Sailors in 53 Countries Sail for a Cause
 |
| Image: Bart´s Bash 2016 |
“Incredible, Amazing, Fantastic, Huge and Awesome,” some of the words used by Bart´s Bash organizers to describe the 2016 event and its massive turnout around the World. Bart´s Bash is considered the World's Largest Sailing Event.
As of September 20, 7,300 sailors sailing in 363 venues spread across 53 countries had raised approximately 53 thousand pounds for a good cause.
Bart´s Bash reported on that day that this year's fundraising event for awareness and fundraising in aid of the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation ASSF was special.
Organizers and participants voted the 2016 Edition of the event as having had a “resounding success”...”especially in terms of expanding the interest in disabled sailing and extending this unique event's reach around the World”.
The Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation through grants, sailing centers and project funds works to introduce sailing to new generations as well as promote disabled sailing.
This year the event took place on the same days in which the Rio 2016 Paralympic Sailing Finals were being conducted. But this was no coincidence.
“Following the decision to remove sailing from the Paralympics at Tokyo 2020, this year’s Bart’s Bash was timed to coincide with the final day of Paralympic sailing in Rio, with the goal of raising awareness and funds to help support Disabled Sailing Around the World and to increase participation at a grass roots level,” organizers explained.
Organizers assured that the count for the final fundraising was still not over. Online, people continued to donate for the Foundation.
"In the space of two days, we have witnessed International support from thousands of people in 362 venues across 58 countries. We have had Olympic sailors and America's Cup sailors competing against youngsters who have just learnt to sail and those who race on a regular basis at Club Level,” Bart´s Bash said
“This event captures the imagination of people from inside and outside of the Sailing World,” organizers added
“America’s Cup Sailors celebrate one of their own with Bart’s Bash,” America´s Cup assured.
The Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation was created to honor of the life of Sailor Andrew “Bart” Simpson. In midst of his growing extensive career Simpson lost his life while training for the America's Cup in San Francisco. Simpson sailed for Artemis Racing and lost his life in a accident in the lead up to the America’s Cup in 2013.
The Bart´s Bash in just three short years transformed to become the biggest global sailing event. There is truly nothing like it.
The Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation was started by Bart´s friends, Artemis Racing’s Iain Percy and Land Rover BAR’s Ben Ainslie.
“Bart’s Bash is an amazing event,” Iain Percy of Artemis said. “Every year, tens of thousands of people come together worldwide to remember Bart and this weekend we managed to do it by racing in these amazing boats in Bermuda with a lot of his old friends.”
America´s Cup Team organized a race in Bermuda to celebrate and participate in the Global event. Artemis Racing, Oracle Team USA and SoftBank Team Japan had a mini race series in their AC45S training boats on the Great Sound in Bermuda for the Bash.
“Bart loved technology and that aspect of sailing and really this is the ultimate expression of that - designing and building and sailing boats that hit speeds near 50 knots. He would have loved pushing the boundaries,” Percy said.
“Bari is still with me every day. Literally daily I think of what he would have said in a certain situation. That’s inspiring. It’s sad too, because I miss having him around on a personal and professional level. But it is inspiring for me, for us as a Team and I think for the entire Sailing Community,” he added.
“Out of Bart’s Bash and some of the other things the Foundation does, we have been able to get thousands of children onto the water,” Percy added
Bart´s Bash which runs from 2014 has not only introduced sailing to thousands of children Around the World, they have connected Sailing Clubs and Sailing Programs, Yacht Clubs and Volunteers and Sailors alike, beyond all frontiers. The event is also listed in the Guinness World Record Book as the Largest Sailing Race in 24 hs.
The organization and logistics of the event is inspiring. To be able to actually pull off such event speaks by itself.
“It’s like waiting for the first guests to turn up to your party. You have put days, weeks, months of your time into planning and preparation and then finally the day comes,” organizers explained hinting to the hard work done over previous long months of preparation.
By the time 2016 Bart´s Bash came rolling in organizers were both relieved and surprised. The event got off to a resoundingly successful start!
“The global sailing community has united to kick-start Bart’s Bash in a majestic, humble, charming, emotional, fun and memorable,” they assured.
Only races in New Zealand and St Martin had to be postponed due to weather conditions but all Around the World, professional sailors, amateurs, sail lovers, children and people from all generations set sails.
Yachts and Sailing reported on the launch of the event Worldwide and the presence of the main stars of the International Sailing community. Among the stars -besides the America's Cup Teams were Olympic medallists, Hannah Mills and Saskia Clark, Giles Scott and Nick Dempsey.
“However, this weekend isn't just about Olympians, World Champions and sailing legends supporting the cause, as Bart's Bash is for people of all abilities. The event is primarily about having fun and about exploring the pleasures of sailing to help inspire and encourage more people into the sport of sailing,” Yachts and Sailing reported.
“Our fundamental ethos is to facilitate a wider participation in sailing, and to optimise the benefits that the sport can deliver to young people and ultimately to society at large. Importantly, we seek to be as inclusive as possible by encouraging participation to children and young people from all backgrounds, and catering for a range of physical and educational abilities,” The Andrew Simpson Foundation said.
The Foundation is out to break barriers which stand in the way of sailing and humanity.
“We recognise sailing as a sport and as a recreation that is not always accessible to all owing to lack of finance, a physical or learning disability, mental health or social barriers. The Foundation helps to break down those barriers by working with sailing providers to offer financial and practical support,” enlightening words by the Foundation echoed in International Press during the World Sailing Weekend.
It could be said that Bart´s Bash continues year round through funds raised and work of the Foundation.
Through their Grant program the Foundation has supported more than 20 projects, across 6 countries. The Southeast Sailing Academy project is just one of these projects. It reached 30 children aged 7 to 13 to access race training development. The grant was specifically designed for those who do not have access to their own boats. A wide range of programs, projects, training and events take place throughout the year in hands of the Foundation.
“Andrew, who loved his family and loved his kids, absolutely loved getting them out on the water, and through this, he’s still managing to do that, so It’s something very special to all of us,” Iain Percy said.
Immediately after sailing in Bermuda on Saturday, Percy was jumping on a plane to the UK, where he was to meet up with Ben Ainslie for more Bart’s Bash sailing at Hayling Island, Bart’s Home Club.
And in Bermuda, America’s Cup sailors and their families, from all three Bermuda based teams were taking to the water again to celebrate Bart’s Bash with sailing out of the local clubs.
Olympic Gold and Silver Medallist in the 470 dinghy class Saskia Clark said: “This is the last weekend of the Paralympics and for sailing it’s the last time, at the moment, that we know sailing will be part of the Paralympics. Unfortunately it’s got dropped from the schedule. So this year, Bart’s Bash is all about trying to raise awareness for Paralympic sailing, and why it’s really important it’s in the schedule”.
“Basically we’re trying to raise support and funds, and to really get behind Disabled Sailing and to get sailing back in the Paralympics,” the athlete added.
London 2012 silver medallist Luke Patience, who took part in a Pico dinghy, said: “We’re celebrating a great man of sailing. We all knew Bart, he mentored a lot of us and we’re showing our support for that.”
Bart’s Bash has seen more than 52,000 sailors participate in 62 Countries in its first 3 years of life.
The scale of the event is massive and overwhelming. Just looking at result race pages is breathtaking! Over 100 Classes took part of the event this year. Including Laser, Optimist, Radial, Hobie, Cadet, Windsurf, Moth, Finn, RS800, Phantom, 420, Firefly, Tornado, Snipe, Nacra, Waveboard and countless others.
“Put simply it’s the day the World goes sailing!” Bart´s Bash said surrounded by new smiling generations and hoisted sails.
As of September 20, 7,300 sailors sailing in 363 venues spread across 53 countries had raised approximately 53 thousand pounds for a good cause.
Bart´s Bash reported on that day that this year's fundraising event for awareness and fundraising in aid of the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation ASSF was special.
Organizers and participants voted the 2016 Edition of the event as having had a “resounding success”...”especially in terms of expanding the interest in disabled sailing and extending this unique event's reach around the World”.
The Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation through grants, sailing centers and project funds works to introduce sailing to new generations as well as promote disabled sailing.
This year the event took place on the same days in which the Rio 2016 Paralympic Sailing Finals were being conducted. But this was no coincidence.
“Following the decision to remove sailing from the Paralympics at Tokyo 2020, this year’s Bart’s Bash was timed to coincide with the final day of Paralympic sailing in Rio, with the goal of raising awareness and funds to help support Disabled Sailing Around the World and to increase participation at a grass roots level,” organizers explained.
Organizers assured that the count for the final fundraising was still not over. Online, people continued to donate for the Foundation.
"In the space of two days, we have witnessed International support from thousands of people in 362 venues across 58 countries. We have had Olympic sailors and America's Cup sailors competing against youngsters who have just learnt to sail and those who race on a regular basis at Club Level,” Bart´s Bash said
“This event captures the imagination of people from inside and outside of the Sailing World,” organizers added
“America’s Cup Sailors celebrate one of their own with Bart’s Bash,” America´s Cup assured.
The Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation was created to honor of the life of Sailor Andrew “Bart” Simpson. In midst of his growing extensive career Simpson lost his life while training for the America's Cup in San Francisco. Simpson sailed for Artemis Racing and lost his life in a accident in the lead up to the America’s Cup in 2013.
The Bart´s Bash in just three short years transformed to become the biggest global sailing event. There is truly nothing like it.
The Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation was started by Bart´s friends, Artemis Racing’s Iain Percy and Land Rover BAR’s Ben Ainslie.
“Bart’s Bash is an amazing event,” Iain Percy of Artemis said. “Every year, tens of thousands of people come together worldwide to remember Bart and this weekend we managed to do it by racing in these amazing boats in Bermuda with a lot of his old friends.”
America´s Cup Team organized a race in Bermuda to celebrate and participate in the Global event. Artemis Racing, Oracle Team USA and SoftBank Team Japan had a mini race series in their AC45S training boats on the Great Sound in Bermuda for the Bash.
“Bart loved technology and that aspect of sailing and really this is the ultimate expression of that - designing and building and sailing boats that hit speeds near 50 knots. He would have loved pushing the boundaries,” Percy said.
“Bari is still with me every day. Literally daily I think of what he would have said in a certain situation. That’s inspiring. It’s sad too, because I miss having him around on a personal and professional level. But it is inspiring for me, for us as a Team and I think for the entire Sailing Community,” he added.
“Out of Bart’s Bash and some of the other things the Foundation does, we have been able to get thousands of children onto the water,” Percy added
Bart´s Bash which runs from 2014 has not only introduced sailing to thousands of children Around the World, they have connected Sailing Clubs and Sailing Programs, Yacht Clubs and Volunteers and Sailors alike, beyond all frontiers. The event is also listed in the Guinness World Record Book as the Largest Sailing Race in 24 hs.
The organization and logistics of the event is inspiring. To be able to actually pull off such event speaks by itself.
“It’s like waiting for the first guests to turn up to your party. You have put days, weeks, months of your time into planning and preparation and then finally the day comes,” organizers explained hinting to the hard work done over previous long months of preparation.
By the time 2016 Bart´s Bash came rolling in organizers were both relieved and surprised. The event got off to a resoundingly successful start!
“The global sailing community has united to kick-start Bart’s Bash in a majestic, humble, charming, emotional, fun and memorable,” they assured.
Only races in New Zealand and St Martin had to be postponed due to weather conditions but all Around the World, professional sailors, amateurs, sail lovers, children and people from all generations set sails.
Yachts and Sailing reported on the launch of the event Worldwide and the presence of the main stars of the International Sailing community. Among the stars -besides the America's Cup Teams were Olympic medallists, Hannah Mills and Saskia Clark, Giles Scott and Nick Dempsey.
“However, this weekend isn't just about Olympians, World Champions and sailing legends supporting the cause, as Bart's Bash is for people of all abilities. The event is primarily about having fun and about exploring the pleasures of sailing to help inspire and encourage more people into the sport of sailing,” Yachts and Sailing reported.
“Our fundamental ethos is to facilitate a wider participation in sailing, and to optimise the benefits that the sport can deliver to young people and ultimately to society at large. Importantly, we seek to be as inclusive as possible by encouraging participation to children and young people from all backgrounds, and catering for a range of physical and educational abilities,” The Andrew Simpson Foundation said.
The Foundation is out to break barriers which stand in the way of sailing and humanity.
“We recognise sailing as a sport and as a recreation that is not always accessible to all owing to lack of finance, a physical or learning disability, mental health or social barriers. The Foundation helps to break down those barriers by working with sailing providers to offer financial and practical support,” enlightening words by the Foundation echoed in International Press during the World Sailing Weekend.
It could be said that Bart´s Bash continues year round through funds raised and work of the Foundation.
Through their Grant program the Foundation has supported more than 20 projects, across 6 countries. The Southeast Sailing Academy project is just one of these projects. It reached 30 children aged 7 to 13 to access race training development. The grant was specifically designed for those who do not have access to their own boats. A wide range of programs, projects, training and events take place throughout the year in hands of the Foundation.
“Andrew, who loved his family and loved his kids, absolutely loved getting them out on the water, and through this, he’s still managing to do that, so It’s something very special to all of us,” Iain Percy said.
Immediately after sailing in Bermuda on Saturday, Percy was jumping on a plane to the UK, where he was to meet up with Ben Ainslie for more Bart’s Bash sailing at Hayling Island, Bart’s Home Club.
And in Bermuda, America’s Cup sailors and their families, from all three Bermuda based teams were taking to the water again to celebrate Bart’s Bash with sailing out of the local clubs.
Olympic Gold and Silver Medallist in the 470 dinghy class Saskia Clark said: “This is the last weekend of the Paralympics and for sailing it’s the last time, at the moment, that we know sailing will be part of the Paralympics. Unfortunately it’s got dropped from the schedule. So this year, Bart’s Bash is all about trying to raise awareness for Paralympic sailing, and why it’s really important it’s in the schedule”.
“Basically we’re trying to raise support and funds, and to really get behind Disabled Sailing and to get sailing back in the Paralympics,” the athlete added.
London 2012 silver medallist Luke Patience, who took part in a Pico dinghy, said: “We’re celebrating a great man of sailing. We all knew Bart, he mentored a lot of us and we’re showing our support for that.”
Bart’s Bash has seen more than 52,000 sailors participate in 62 Countries in its first 3 years of life.
The scale of the event is massive and overwhelming. Just looking at result race pages is breathtaking! Over 100 Classes took part of the event this year. Including Laser, Optimist, Radial, Hobie, Cadet, Windsurf, Moth, Finn, RS800, Phantom, 420, Firefly, Tornado, Snipe, Nacra, Waveboard and countless others.
“Put simply it’s the day the World goes sailing!” Bart´s Bash said surrounded by new smiling generations and hoisted sails.
