Conrad Humphreys chooses Plymouth as base for new sailing team academy
Round-the-world yachtsman Conrad Humphreys has revealed plans to create an academy for a new generation of young sailors capable of competing against the best in the world’s biggest ocean races, including the Vendée Globe.
The Plymouth-based sailor, 41, has established a new sailing base at the former Royal Marines Commando base at Turnchapel in Plymouth.
The site - formerly RM Turnchapel - complete with old naval buildings and paraphernalia, was bought by Yacht Haven Ventures earlier this year after the MoD moved 539 Assault Squadron to a brand new amphibious warfare centre at Devonport.
Conrad recently announced his return to solo ocean racing with a three-year sponsorship with Bullitt Group, the global licensee and manufacturer for rugged Cat Phones and accessories. His first race will be the gruelling transatlantic race, the Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe, which starts on 2 November 2014.
His Class 40 yacht, 'Cat Phones', will be based at Turnchapel Wharf. Under Conrad’s ambitious plans, he wants to develop a world class training centre to nurture young talent and increase British sailors’ chances of success in races like La Solitaire du Figaro and the Vendée Globe.
After decades of being a ‘restricted’ area, the wharf has now been opened up to the public. Building 1 has undergone a transformation and is now fully operational. Conrad and his team will be hosting a “Launch Event” for sponsors, friends and family before he sets sail to Saint-Malo for the start of the Route du Rhum.
“Turnchapel is absolutely perfect,” said Conrad. “The vision is for this area to be a leading marine hub, so to have a professional sailing team at its core is a fantastic opportunity.
“Our new Team Base is on the waterfront and it gives us everything we need to run a professional sailing operation. Alongside the office space we have training facilities, classrooms, outdoor gym and space for containers and water sports equipment. Currently the boat is moored next to the office, which enables us to train every day and sometimes twice a day. The facilities rival anywhere in Europe and I hope we can encourage other teams to use our facility.”
Conrad added: “This is about investing in Plymouth and making the most of the amazing natural resource we have here – the Plymouth waterfront and the Sound. When I look across the Cattewater, I can see the Barbican, the Citadel and the Hoe. It’s a dream, when you think about the maritime history of Plymouth – Britain’s Ocean City – to me, this is just the best place to have a sailing base.
“Our vision is to build a legacy here, in much the same way that Ben Ainslie is doing in Portsmouth with the America’s Cup campaign. It’s a big step. We’re looking to build something of substance here. In 10 years’ time we want to look back and say ‘yep, we did that – we built a team that competed and dominated in some of the biggest offshore races in the world’.”
Taking on the best in ocean racing means taking on the all-conquering French and the first test comes in November, when Conrad competes in the Route du Rhum from Saint-Malo to Guadeloupe. He’ll be racing in Cat Phones, a Class 40 chartered from experienced Formula 1 technical director Mike Gascoyne.
The bright yellow yacht can often be seen in the Sound or off the South Cornwall and South Devon coasts, as Conrad trains for the race ahead. You can follow Conrad’s progress at www.conradhumphreys.com.
