Around 80 World Cruising Club members and guests came together at the Southampton International Boat Show on Saturday 19 September for a special event hosted by Advanced Rigging & Hydraulics, part of the Ancasta Group, celebrating its continued partnership with World Cruising Club.
As part of Advanced Rigging & Hydraulics ongoing support for the World Cruising Club community, complimentary Southampton Boat Show tickets were provided to members and guests, giving them the opportunity to enjoy the show before joining the afternoon gathering on the Advanced Rigging & Hydraulics stand.
The event brought together experienced bluewater sailors, past rally participants and those preparing for future offshore adventures for an informal afternoon of conversation, shared experience and expert advice. Guests were welcomed by the Advanced Rigging & Hydraulics, Ancasta and World Cruising Club teams and enjoyed complimentary Dark ’n’ Stormy® cocktails, courtesy of Ancasta Group’s partnership with Goslings Rum.
The gathering reflected the natural alignment between Advanced Rigging & Hydraulics and World Cruising Club, with both organisations committed to helping sailors prepare their yachts and themselves for the demands of offshore sailing.
Paul Tetlow, Managing Director of World Cruising Club, said: “It was fantastic to see so many of our members and guests come together at the Southampton Boat Show. We are extremely grateful to Advanced Rigging & Hydraulics for the warm welcome, the complimentary show tickets and the considerable effort that went into making the event such an enjoyable occasion.
“Our partnership with Advanced Rigging & Hydraulics is ultimately about supporting sailors as they prepare for and undertake their adventures, and events like this bring that to life. They provide a valuable opportunity for members to meet experts face-to-face, share experiences and strengthen the connections that make the bluewater cruising community so special.”
Neil Brinsdon, Managing Director of Advanced Rigging & Hydraulics, commented: “One of the most enjoyable aspects of the afternoon was simply having the opportunity to talk to so many sailors about their adventures – where they have been and where they are planning to go next.
“That is exactly where our partnership with World Cruising Club makes sense. Whether someone is preparing for their first Atlantic crossing or planning the next stage of a circumnavigation, we can provide the specialist rigging knowledge and practical support they need to prepare their yacht for the demands of offshore sailing.”
Stuart Brotherton, Sales Director at Ancasta International Boat Sales, added: “It was a pleasure to spend time with so many World Cruising Club members and hear first-hand about their experiences with their yachts, from Atlantic crossings to circumnavigations and countless miles of bluewater cruising.
“It was equally rewarding to speak with sailors who are considering taking on that challenge for the first time. Hearing about their plans and aspirations, and sharing some of the knowledge and experience we have gained from supporting owners over many years, made for some really interesting conversations.”
The Southampton event continues a partnership focused on combining World Cruising Club’s extensive offshore sailing community and experience with the specialist technical expertise available through Advanced Rigging & Hydraulics.
