Phil Sharp is one of the most promising and exciting offshore sailors today. Young, tenacious, and extremely talented, he has a dream to be the first Briton to win the Vendée Globe when it is staged in 2012.

Phil has proven himself as the future for British ocean racing. Winning the famous Route du Rhum solo transatlantic race in 2006, he is the last Briton to do since Ellen MacArthur. It is clear that Phil will be the name to watch in sailing.

This is a three year campaign which will start with the 2010 Barcelona World Race and build up in stages to the ‘big one’ in 2012. The Vendée Globe is racing at its most breathtaking: one man against all, battling against the elements of the oceans in the quest for victory. It is the pinnacle of solo sailing, where skippers race non‐stop, single‐handed around the world in boats of pioneering technology. Not only one of the most challenging and enduring adventures on the planet today, the Vendée Globe is also one of the most competitive and gruelling of all races. To make his dream to win the world’s most famous sailing race a reality, Phil needs significant support and sponsorship.

Sport sponsorship is a proven technique for complimenting brand image and values through positive association and advertising. Sailing is the fastest growing area of sport sponsorship today, and is still hugely under-developed. Visible yacht sponsorship provides the perfect “peg” on which to hang a series of additional marketing communication activities including separate public relations campaigns, hospitality, brand extension and support to existing advertising schedules.

Solo ocean racing is the premier class in sailing today:

>	The visibility provided by yacht sponsorship, coupled with the myriad of supporting marketing opportunities, provides the perfect opportunity for a corporate partner to raise brand awareness.
>	Aspirational yet accessible, dynamic and challenging, sailing sponsorship provides a plethora of ways to engage customers and employees alike and can offer real return on investment.
>	Fantastic corporate hospitality experiences with sponsor packages tailored heavily in order to deliver high return on investment.
>	Competition and adventure will be communicated via pioneering technology to a global audience throughout the races, designed to deliver yacht sponsors value for money on a level previously unmatched in the sport of sailing.

Sharp Racing is currently looking for a title partner and a co-partner to join the team in the run up to the 2012 Vendée Globe, focussing initially on achieving a top finish in this year's Barcelona World Race.

There are two principal contract levels available, on either a 16 month or 3 year basis starting from April 2010. Each package of benefits is highly flexible and will be tailored to meet sponsor’s needs.

To recieve a full sponsorship brochure, or to find out more about the partnership opportunities available, please contact Sharp Racing on +44 (0)1534 483551 or +44 (0)7973 378997.

Le Gallais were extremely satisfied with their return on investment around Phil’s Mini Transat campaign:

"Phil was unknown to us when he approached us for sponsorship for the Mini Transat qualification races. His dedicated approach and competitive results during the qualifying rounds convinced us that here was an individual who had the utmost desire to succeed and the competitive drive to deliver. Sponsorship of the overall race was now a necessity. Phil's 4th place in the Mini Transat 2005 was a fantastic result for both him and his team and provided a great deal of pride to our workforce who followed his every move. The local and national media exposure was way above our highest expectations and the positive feed back from our customers still continues today, some eight months after the event."

Tim Le Gallais, F. Le Gallais & Sons Ltd