A COOKHILL sailor is preparing to tackle the first Challenge Business Round Britain Yacht Race.

Richard Stringfellow, a 23-year-old Loughborough University graduate, will be attending two five-day training camps before being allotted to the crew of one of the seven boats.

Stringfellow, a member of Barnt Green Sailing Club for 12 years wants to take up yachting and sees the Round Britain Race as an ideal route in.

Each vessel will have 16 volunteers led by a skipper and first mate and will set off from Southampton on April 19 2003 after a final training camp in spring.

The graduate has had to commit £3,500 to take part and has six months to recoup the money through sponsorship.

Anyone wishing to help can ring Richard on 07812 147231 or e-mail him at richard_stringfellow@hotmail.com

Three members of Redditch Sailing Club have been named in an 18-strong squad to represent the Volvo RYA West Zone of England in the Topper single handed dinghy class.

Andrew Audley, aged 13, Martin Evans, ten, and Oliver Brown, 14, have been drawn from an area stretching from the Scottish border to Ross-on-Wye.

They will attend five weekend zone coaching sessions over winter, run by the Royal Yachting Association, aimed at developing their skills, and will be attending next year's National Championships in Sunderland.

The club are looking for more undiscovered stars in the area and anyone interested can call Dave Jackson, RYA Club Racing Coach at Redditch SC on 833053 or can visit the club website at www.redditchsc.org.uk