| UK. Golding lunches with Princess Anne and promotes Green Blue at the London Boat Show |
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| Wednesday, 11 January 2006 | |
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Coralie Rassinoux: Mike Golding, who is an Ambassador for the Green Blue Programme launched by the RYA last September, was at the London Boat Show to show his support for the environmental project. Mike Golding was a clear choice for the RYA and the BMF to support their new environmental awareness initiative alongside Lady Pippa Blake. After attending an RYA luncheon with HRH The Princess Anne, who is a renowned sailing enthusiast, Mike met with DEFRA minister Sir Jim Knight and discussed several environment issues. As a sailor, Mike Golding is very conscious about the marine environment: “Before I got involved with Ecover, I had no idea of the damage cleaning products could do the environment. What appealed to me about The Green Blue is that it was a positive method of promoting good environmental practices and DEFRA supporting the project is a great opportunity to reach the widest population. I have a three-year old boy and I want him to enjoy the sea as much as I do.” Interviewed by Elaine Bunting from Yachting World on the IPC main stage of the Boat Show, Mike talked about his role as an Ambassador for the Green Blue but also his vast sailing experience. “My biggest achievement was probably winning the BT Global Challenge with a unified and integrated team both on the water and ashore. In a way this is not very different to what I do now - sailing solo is the result of the efforts put in by a whole team that includes the designers, the builders, my sponsor Ecover of course, and the shore team. I’m the front man but in excess there are about 200 people attached to me sailing around the world.” Asked about the ‘Vendée Globe never again’, quote, Mike had his answer all figured out: ”I said never again before the race because I thought I was going to win it…which I didn’t! I finished third, but I really enjoyed it last time. And the next Vendee Globe will be one of the best, it will be an absolute cracker of an event with the competition level getting higher and higher.” Since the launch at the Southampton Boat Show in September 2005, the Green Blue has put together a number of initiatives to improve awareness towards the environment in the boating world. In the past, environmental programmes have focused on producing leaflets to raise awareness. The Green Blue goes one step further by incorporating Practical Projects to test out what really works. The first Practical Project is being trialled by Marina Developments Limited (MDL) to capture and filter all boat wash down and run-off, including residual anti-fouling. For more information about the Blue Green project, please visit www.thegreenblue.org.uk |
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| Last Updated ( Wednesday, 11 January 2006 ) |
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