The America’s Cup director of media production, Gary Lovejoy, took time out of his busy schedule in the run-up to the prestigious event being held in Plymouth to talk to sixth formers at his former school, Plymouth College.
With a mission to open up the world of sailing to as many people as possible, Gary talked to the students about the competition’s history, the boats and the teams involved and the complexities of broadcasting the event to the world. He showed high-energy video clips of racing in San Francisco and Portugal – a particularly spectacular capsize drew loud gasps from his young audience!
Gary also talked about his time at the school, which he left after completing his A Levels in 1972 – he was a member of the first XV rugby team, ran the 400m and 800m for the school and was a sixth form prefect.
“The aim of the 34th America's Cup is to encourage more young people around the world to embrace sailing as a top action sport and to follow our events leading up to and including the America's Cup itself in San Francisco in 2013. So to be able to talk to hundreds of young people at Plymouth College about the best sailors in the fastest boats on the planet was ideal for our message. It was even better for me personally as the school means so much to me still.
“I had many great sporting days at Plymouth College and I would put down today's meeting with the class of 2011 as being another highlight for me, it was great fun and I hope the school is now going to be well represented on The Hoe, watching the racing.”
