Finmeccanica supports ‘Toe in the Water' charity for Emile Berliner Challenge

On 25 June 2014 with winds at a modest 9 kts – a little stronger than for the previous weekend's "Round the Island Race" – 17 matched Benneteau 37' yachts from Fairview Sailing took part in the Emile Berliner challenge to raise funds for the "Toe in the Water" charity.

London  26 giugno 2015 10:00

Toe in the Water was founded in 2008 to provide innovative support to injured service personnel. Principally a tri-service initiative, the charity uses competitive sailing as a medium to re-inspire wounded, injured and sick patients to see beyond their injuries and to perform to their limits regardless of their physical condition. With Toe in the Water they learn to re-engage, compete and win...and they do! In last year's Emile Berliner Challenge, the Toe in the Water crew won the challenge trophy and on 22 June 2014 a Toe in the Water crew beat Sir Ben Ainslie in the Round the Island Race.

This year there was no Toe in the Water crew competing in the Emile Berliner challenge, so the rest of the competitors were grateful for a chance to have a go.

This was Finmeccanica's third year supporting the service charities through the combined effort of Fairview Sailing and Avro Yachting, the event's organisers. Finmeccanica UK's Chief Executive, Alberto de Benedictis, said "Finmeccanica are signatories to the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant. Toe in the Water is clearly an inspiration to many injured service men and women and we were delighted to be able to support the charity’s excellent and ongoing work this year."

Finmeccanica sponsored a total of five boats this year including two from AgustaWestland and two from Selex ES.

"Mange Tout" and its crew of seven, drawn from maritime small and medium sized enterprises, came through this year for Finmeccanica as the aggregate winner of the four races during the day.  The crew included representatives from Tangent Link, UK Yacht Surveyors, Selex ES, Endeavour Maritime and Ronaldson’s Solicitors.

Avro Yachting reported that nearly £5,000 was raised from the crews that took part.