Henley Business Schools Alumni Regatta (BSAR) 2009

Henley's Alumni Sailing Group are making preparations to defend a prestigious yachting title which they won last year. The Business Schools Alumni Regatta (BSAR) is an ultra competitive ocean yacht race held each year in the Solent. Teams who enter represent various UK business schools and the rules state that at least five of the eight crew must have an MBA or similar level qualification.

Last year was the first time Henley had entered the event and they won it outright! The team smashed the competition by winning three of the five races and coming second in the other two. Business schools left trailing in their wake included LBS, Warwick, Cranfield, CASS, Oxford SAID and Kingston. The weather during the racing was atrocious, with heavy seas and force 8 gales meaning the crew had to overcome the elements as well as the other alumni sailors breathing down their necks.
The team are being headed up by Tim Lawson and Mel Petrie, both who hold Henley MBAs. Other crew members include Carl de Verteuil, Richard Wilkins, Richard Steele, Laurence Huxham, Bill Fawkner-Corbett and Rick Hanslip. This year, with the competition desperate to prevent Henley from doing it again, the crew will need to be at the top of their game. Training days out at sea are being planned for June and July as Tim and Mel seek to drive every last ounce of performance from the crew and boat.

If you are interested in being part of the sailing group then please contact Amanda Proddow in the Henley Alumni office at amanda.proddow@henley.com .

For more information see the team's blog at http://henleysailing.blogspot.com . Included on the site are some video clips and photos of last years racing weekend.

Chris Bones, Dean of the Henley Business School, said "we wish the team every success as they attempt to bring the BSAR trophy back to Henley for the second year running".

The Henley crew celebrate back at Port Solent after winning the 2008 BSAR