Olympian’s Legacy Lives on in Guinness World Record Bid

17 | 9 | 2014

The global sailing community will unite to honour the memory of Olympian Andrew “Bart” Simpson in the inaugural Bart’s Bash race this Sunday. Hundreds of clubs from Chile to China, Iceland to Argentina are taking part in the coordinated event on September 21 in an attempt to set a new Guinness World record for the ’Largest Sailing Race in the World’. 

The race is aimed at inspiring the next generation of sailors as well raising money for the UK-based Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation, which was set up by fellow Olympians Ben Ainslie CBE and Iain Percy OBE following the death of Simpson while training for the America’s Cup in San Francisco Bay in 2013.

The Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation seeks to transform the lives of young people through sailing and is driven by the belief that all young people have the ability to excel. By helping those between the ages of 5-24 to develop personal skills and by exposing them to opportunities within the maritime sector, the Foundation hopes to inspire young people to achieve success.

So far Bart’s Bash has attracted over 10,000 sailors from more than 720 clubs across 65 countries making it truly a global event.

Founder and double Olympic gold medallist Iain Percy OBE said, “I’ve been blown away by all the support the event has already managed to achieve.”

All money raised will go towards supporting the development and delivery of the Foundation’s charity programme. To find out more, get involved or donate please visit the Bart's Bash website or show your support using #bartsbash on social media.