Newcastle University

George Yeoman and Ed Fitzgerald have been selected to sail with GBR1 at the FISU world student games  in Crete this summer.  The Newcastle University sailors have been selected for the event after a prestigious track record for both university and team.

A life time of ambition and commitment has finally culminated in top flight sailing opportunities for 2^nd year geography and town planning student Edward Fitzgerald.

Embarking on his sailing career at the youthful age of 5, the river Hamble provided the backdrop to what was to become an illustrious career. Coming 12^th out of 300 in the 2008 fastnet and winning various offshore races including Myth of Malham Race. In 2009 he was involved in winning the Red Funnel Easter regatta and played a pivotel role in winning the team trophy for the ‘round the island’ trophy that requires teams to navigate the Isle of White.

His sailing career really seemed to be kick started when he became involved in the Great British Keelboat academy. The academy, set up by Kit Hobday and Peter Harrison, allowed Edward to compete in top level tournaments, such as Chernikeef II. Asked who the major influential people were in his career, he commented that:

I cannot really put it down to one individual person; Obviously my father introducing me to the sport at a young age but in recent times Kit Hobday and Peter Harrison for setting up the GBR Academy.

A  Keelboat differs from regular sailing boats in that it uses a keel rather than a centre board or daggerboard, resulting in greater stability. But strong winds and rough seas make it quite a dangerous (although exhilarating) sport.  Edward retells of being knocked unconscious by a spinnaker pole as well as falling 7 foot down an open hatch; the latter providing a great deal of amusement for his fellow crew. Indeed, his knickname also came as a result of one of these unfortunate incidents, ‘duck’ was appropriately given to him after failing to do just that as the spinnaker pole flew towards him!

George Yeoman studies small craft technology at the university also in his 2^nd year. A similarly extensive sailing history has been rewarded with places on various teams and country and university honours.

He has achieved 1^st place in RS200 Youth championships and British Universities fleet racing championships. He is also familiar with racing for a GBR squad. He was part of the British 420 worlds team and was the UK team racing youth champion. He also looks to his father as playing a central role in his success:

My dad  has supported me without pushing me and made me understand enjoying what i am doing is more important than winning.

George and Ed were both part of the bronze medal winning team at BUCS last year.  They are teaming up with gold medallist and their normal helm, top under 23 match racer, Andy Shaw from Southampton.  The rest of the team is made up of Ben Ainsworth from Southampton and Rachel Williamson from Portsmouth.

Jack Peat