UK marina group, MDL Marinas has announced it has become the boat and title race sponsor of the Royal Southampton Yacht Club’s (RSYC) Southampton Water and Double-Handed race series.

Starting in January 2024 with the Warm-up Series, this new 24-month partnership will see MDL Marinas provide berthing at its Ocean Village Marina in Southampton for the yacht club’s two racing support vessels, The Hound and RSYC RIB. The crews of the support vessels will also have unlimited access to the marina’s recently refurbished facilities. 

The historic yacht club is renowned for its year-round programme of racing in Southampton Water, the Solent and beyond, offering opportunities for both fully crewed and double handed series. MDL’s sponsorship will mean the Club’s committee boats are readily available and close to hand to support the Club’s schedule of high quality and friendly racing over the next two years.

“The Royal Southampton Yacht Club is very excited to add MDL’s name to its 2024 Southampton Water and Double-Handed race programmes,” says Robin Funnell, commodore at the RSYC. 

“Our double-handed racing series is the longest established series of its kind, and hosting regular racing of this type is only possible with the help of partners like MDL, and we’re very grateful for its support. 

“Southampton Water is the perfect venue for the racing, and so easily accessible for boats from both Ocean Village and MDL’s three marinas on the river Hamble. We are looking forward to what we hope will be a long association between MDL and the Club.”

In honour of the partnership with MDL, the RSYC will create a new racing trophy called ‘The MDL Cup’ which will be awarded to the winner of an appropriate race at the Club’s annual prize giving event.

Tim Mayer, MDL’s sales and marketing director, comments: “With close links to Ocean Village, we’re delighted to be supporting the Royal Southampton Yacht Club and its members to get out on the water and enjoy the sport they love. We look forward to following the racing and presenting The MDL Cup to a deserving winner at the end of the season.”

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