Bid on the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation benefit online auction

Sir Ben Ainslie, Iain Percy, Matt Cornwall and Christian Kamp, the same crew that competed in the 2008 Argo Group Gold Cup with Andrew Simpson as the team advisor, has returned to Bermuda under the name of the Ben Ainslie Racing Team (BART), to focus attention on the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation in memory of their late friend and fellow sailor.

Andrew, affectionately known as “Bart” saw the best in everything and was the person that many turned to for guidance. The aim of competing is to honour Andrew’s life and raise funds for the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation, which was established after the highly regarded sailor’s tragic death in San Francisco. www.andrewsimpsonsailing.org

The Andrew Simpson Gold Cup Benefit and auction is set to take place during the Argo Group Gold Cup on Thursday 10 October 2013, in the company of sailing stars from the America’s Cup and the Agro Group Gold Cup. The international community who would like to support the Foundation can participate by bidding in the auction that is live online at www.andrewsimpson-auction.com/auction.

Online bids can be placed up until midnight BST on Thursday 10th October on some fantastic auction lots available through the Andrew Simpson Gold Cup Benefit. The lots range from luxury accessories to signed sailing paraphernalia and from premium accommodation at highly sought after holiday destinations to VIP hospitality tickets for a variety of sporting events.

Auction items include a Corum Admiral’s Cup Tides 48 Watch, a Lapis Lazuli Bead Bracelet from Garrad’s Nautical Collection, Sir Ben Ainslie’s Team GB London 2012 Olympic Sailing Jacket, a piece of Olympic history, and Oracle Team USA memorabilia signed by members of the winning America’s Cup team. Also available to bid on is an optimist sail signed by all the members of the Ben Ainslie Racing Team (BART) Agro Gold Cup Crew.

Jetsetters can bid on two nights stay at the Royal Ocean Racing Club in London or three nights at The Cary Arms located on the English Riviera in Devon. There are a number of auction lots that will appeal to sports enthusiasts, including two Argo Group hospitality tickets to the Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, two J.P. Morgan VIP tickets to the New York Jets for an American football experience and two VIP basketball tickets to see the San Antonio Spurs plus two nights stay in a luxury hotel.

Founded by Sir Ben Ainslie, Iain Percy OBE and Andrew’s wife Leah, the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation will work to honour Andrew’s life and legacy by encouraging youngsters into sailing. At grassroots level it will encourage children to visit their local sailing clubs and ‘give it a try’ by providing equipment and coaching, with support from Olympic medallist Regional Mentors.

Place your bids online by visiting the auction website at www.andrewsimpson-auction.com/auction/.

Editor Notes

The Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation was set up to support the next generation was something Andrew was extremely passionate about. In Andrew’s absence the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation has been founded by Sir Ben Ainslie, Iain Percy OBE and Andrew’s wife Leah. ASSF will work to honor Andrew’s life and legacy by encouraging youngsters into sailing and to enjoy the water as much as he did. www.andrewsimpsonsailing.org

Objectives:

(a) To advance the education in the sport of sailing of young people by the provision of support assistance and encouragement (so as to enable them to fulfill their potential);

(b) To advance the education, development and improvement of young people (mainly) through the provision of sailing programmes so as to develop their skills, capacities and capabilities to enable them to participate in society as independent, mature and responsible citizens;

© The advancement of education in the field of sports leadership and training in the context of the sport of sailing.

(d) To promote such other purposes being exclusively charitable as the directors may from time to time determine.

For further information regarding the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation, please contact:

David Tyler
David@tylersports.co.uk