FOLLOWING its success in the Challenge Transat 2002 yacht race, southern commercial property consultant Vail Williams is to sponsor a yacht in the Round Britain Challenge.

The Round Britain Challenge pits eight identical 72ft yachts against each other, in a clockwise non-stop circumnavigation of Britain and Ireland - the first event of its kind to be staged.

The 1,800-nautical-mile race, org-anised by Southampton-based

Challenge business and run under the auspices of the Royal Ocean Racing Club, is to set sail from Ocean Village tomorrow and is expected to take between ten and 12 days.

Vail Williams' 16-strong crew is to be led by skipper Pete Scoggins and includes volunteers from all walks of life, including a veterinary surgeon, a product manager, a student and an investment banker.

Based in Hamble, Pete Scoggins is a professional skipper who has previously competed in numerous Challenge races including the Challenge Transat 2002.

Vail Williams has a pedigree in yacht racing sponsorship having started out as a Business Club

member sponsoring the yacht Quadstone in the BT Global Challenge 2000/01.

The firm was also a sponsor and participant in the cutting-edge research project that ran alongside the race, examining the importance of "emotional intelligence".

Ian Rudland, chief executive of Vail Williams, said: "We're delighted to take this opportunity and believe that in Pete Scoggins and his crew we have a team capable of winning the Round Britain Challenge."

"This sponsorship provides our company with a tremendous opportunity to build brand awareness, especially in the strong business community that supports and follows yacht racing."

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