The International Stock Exchange is once again supporting Guernsey sailor Andrew Bridgman as he embarks on his latest attempt to become world champion.
Last year, the International Stock Exchange (TISE) backed Mr Bridgman during his quest to win the Foiling Waszp World Championships when they were held in Melbourne. As part of the Great Britain team and sailing under the banner of the Guernsey Yacht Club, Mr Bridgman finished 12th out of a field of more than 90 competitors, improving markedly on the 36 th place achieved during his previous shot at the world championships.
TISE has renewed that commitment to support Mr Bridgman through this year’s summer season ahead of the world championships which are taking place between 4th and 10th of August in Sandefjord, Norway.
Mr Bridgman said: “I was very pleased with my performance last year. It’s not easy travelling to the other side of the world to compete and there were several occasions when I was very close to pulling off some even better race results, but it was a great experience and a strong performance. I think that with the experience of previous years and a few months of good preparation then I should be well placed to compete at the top of the field in Norway.”
Mr Bridgman qualified as an actuary but has paused that career to focus on sailing. TISE is once again providing financial support to help cover his costs of training and competing. A landmark regatta in the build up to the world championships is in Lake Garda, Italy, at the end of June.
Cees Vermaas, CEO of TISE, said: “We’re delighted to once again support Andrew in his mission to be world champion. He’s competing right at the very top of his sport and he’s a great ambassador for us all, so we had no hesitation in continuing the partnership. We wish Andrew the very best for the upcoming regattas, especially the world championships, and look forward to staying in touch with him as the season progresses during the summer.”
The Foiling Waszp boats sailed by Mr Bridgman are not included within the classes selected for the Olympics, although some of those who he competed against in Melbourne last year are sailing in other classes in Paris this summer while others are now part of teams competing in the Americas Cup.
Mr Bridgman added: “I’m hugely thankful to TISE for their support. During the off-season I earned some money as a ski instructor in Canada and now I’m back on the water competing in regattas across Europe as the season builds towards the world championships in August. It’s not easy to make ends meet financially so it’s fantastic to have this support from TISE which enables me to really give my sailing the focus and dedication that is required to compete at this elite level.”
Pictured: Left to right – Cees Vermaas and Andrew Bridgman
