720043RS Sailing RS900 Olympic Skiff SailboatClosedGRD Development of PrototypeInnovate UKThe aim of the project is to develop a new sailboat (model name RS900) targeted at selection for a new discipline to be included in the Olympic Games – Women’s High Performance Skiff sailing. Olympic sailing takes place within specific disciplines (eg. men’s and women’s single-handed dinghies – men’s and women’s double-handed dinghies) and the models of boats used are selected by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF). Once a boat has been selected by ISAF, it is then purchased and sailed by all competitors wishing to train for, and compete in, that Olympic discipline – a guaranteed, worldwide market. Our company, RS Sailing, has the attributes to develop and distribute a new design boat for the new Olympic Women’s High Performance Skiff discipline: • We have a proven track record of developing high performance, high quality sailboats. These boats have won multiple awards around the world and RS is acknowledged as a world leader in the field. • We have a proven record of producing these boats in the required volumes and have an international distribution network in place. Over 50% of RS boats are exported and this percentage is growing. • We already work with ISAF on various international sailing projects and enjoy a strong relationship. ISAF have encouraged us to develop a boat for the new Olympic discipline. An evaluation trial will be held during 2012 to select the new model of boat for the 2016 Olympic Games - and once selected, boats are normally used for multiple Olympic cycles. We are happy to provide reference contacts within ISAF if required. This is a unique opportunity for our company to develop a technologically superior, flagship product that would gain international recognition and bring trade to the UK for a significant time period if used for the Olympic Games. In addition, the resulting raised profile of the RS sailboat brand would lead to accelerated sales of existing RS models.