18-year-old sailors Vita Heathcote and Milly Boyle, both from Royal Lymington Yacht Club, have won GOLD at the 2019 420 Women’s World Championships in Portugal. The Lymington duo narrowly beat their closest rivals from Italy.
A clearly ecstatic Vita, who is sponsored by local law firm Moore Blatch, described the win as “the weirdest feeling ever” going on to say; “I can’t believe it has happened, I actually can’t. Winning the World Championships means so much to me; it is the culmination of many years of training and racing, out in all weathers and trying to be the best.”
“Sometimes it doesn’t go according to plan and you literally have to right the boat and, probably by now very wet, cold, exhausted and desperate, sail on and try to claw your way back up through the fleet.”
“After 5 years of 420s we finally did it and it is such a good feeling” added Vita.
The 420 World Championships saw 456 sailors from 24 nations compete in Vilamoura, Portugal, with racing concluding on 11th July.
Ed Whittington, Managing Partner, Moore Blatch said “We have many sailors in our midst and so understand both the physical and emotional challenges of sailing as a world class sport as well as the financial pressures these athletes face. We’re thrilled to see Vita enjoy such success and are proud to be supporting her.”
Vita is part of Moore Blatch’s Rising Star programme, which identifies inspirational local talent helping them to achieve their goals and aspirations through raising awareness and providing funding. Throughout the programme, Moore Blatch and Vita work together to provide inspiration and motivation to encourage others to follow their dream.
On the support that Moore Blatch provided, Vita commented: “The support I have received from Moore Blatch has been more than just help, it has been essential to me, and it lifted us up so that Milly and I could have a realistic chance of becoming the World Champions. Thank you to all at Moore Blatch!”
Other individuals who have received support from Moore Blatch’s Rising Star programme include Lucy Shuker, double Paralympic medallist and Great Britain’s No.1 Paralympic wheelchair tennis player.
