Sixteen year old St John’s School student Annabel Hitchmough will be heading for the USA this summer to represent the UK in the 420 Sailing World Championships.
Annabel learned to sail at local club Bowmoor Sailing Club at South Cerney when she was eight years old and teamed up very early with fellow club member Maisie Harkess from Stroud, Gloucestershire. They have been sailing together now for eight years, reaching national and international level competition, culminating in being selected to represent GBR at the 420 World Championships to be held in Newport, Rhode Island.
Annabel said, ‘Through my sailing career I have had tremendous support from the Marlborough Sports Forum, and I’d like to thank them for helping me get this far.’
Bowmoor Sailing Club’s Commodore John Banbrook said: “Bowmoor Sailing Club are extremely proud that Annabel and Maisie will represent our Club at a World Championship event in America this summer. Both girls are fabulous ambassadors for the Club and sailing; not only do they compete at a very high standard, they are both qualified instructors and regularly contribute to teaching younger sailors at the Club. We wish them all the very best in their endeavors.”
The pair are raising money to fund their campaign. Annabel explained ‘We have support for this event from the Royal Yachting Association, but we need to fund our own travel costs, so we are fundraising like mad’. Anyone can make a donation via Just Giving using this link: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/maisieandannabel.