'I hope to be youngest winner,' says Mead

The OSTAR’s youngest sailor Oscar Mead,18, has taken a reality check on his record claim: ‘As the youngest person to be entering the OSTAR, I’m excited about the race, but it will only mean something if I’m the youngest ever to actually finish!’

Entry into the 3,000 mile OSTAR (Original Singlehanded Transatlantic Race), which begins on 25th May from Plymouth, has long been a dream for Oscar. Currently studying at Southampton, Oscar is originally from Cowes and has always had a passion for sailing, in pursuit of his ultimate goal of competing in the Vendee Globe. Oscar’s 2008 season featured 5 race wins in the Royal Southampton Yacht Club, 2-handed series and 1st overall in Class 1, after the 8 race series. Oscar also scooped the “Rookie of the Year” Trophy in Petite Bateau’s Singlehanded Race Week.

Now he is the newest addition to yachtsman-shaving entrepreneur Will King’s “Young Blades” scheme.Will King,said: “Young Blades is a long term commitment from King of Shaves which has developed and evolved to provide youngsters with expert knowledge. With my parents being teachers, they instilled in me the desire to ‘learn to do better’ whenever you can. As a keen sailor myself am I extremely pleased to be welcoming Oscar into the programme and wish him every success for the OSTAR.”

Alongside the title sponsorship package, Team Oscar Mead is getting technical advice from Mike Golding.