The team at MDL’s Hamble Point Marina have welcomed two British Paralympic sailors, Alexandra Rickham and Niki Birrell, to the marina as they prepare to compete for the opportunity to represent Great Britain in the 2016 Paralympic Games.
MDL Marinas will allow the athletes to berth their SKUD 18 racing sailing boats free of charge at the marina at key points throughout their training, giving them essential access to the waters of the Solent. With five world titles under their belts, the dynamic duo have high hopes for the Games. The pair only narrowly missed out on a gold medal at the 2014 Disabled Sailing World Championships in Canada that saw Great Britain qualify for Rio 2016.
Alexandra commented: “We are very excited and grateful for MDL’s support on our road to Rio. We believe training in the Solent will stand us in great stead for the challenges that we will face when sailing in Brazil. To have access to the best facilities on the Solent and to have everyone at MDL Marinas and Hamble Point getting behind our dream means the world to Niki and I.”
A hub for competitive racing in the Solent, Hamble Point Marina offers the ideal location for the team to train. Nic Parton, Marina Manager, said: “We are really excited to have two such inspiring and skilled athletes at the marina and play a part in the British Paralympic effort for Rio 2016. We have a vibrant sailing scene here at the marina, so it’s brilliant to be hosting these sailing stars.”