FROM THE WEBSITE: The 1851 Trust aims to inspire and engage a new generation through sailing and the marine industry, providing young people with the education, skills and training to become innovators of the future, and stewards of the marine environment. The 1851 Trust is the Official Charity of Land Rover BAR, the British America’s Cup team. The 1851 Trust is named after the year of the Great Exhibition when the America’s Cup race was first held around the Isle of Wight; beginning the challenge that Land Rover BAR has now embraced – to bring the Cup home.
INFORMATION:
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge became Patron in October 2014.
QUOTES:
I am delighted to be Royal Patron of The 1851 Trust. I feel very fortunate to have enjoyed sailing from a young age and I know it is a great way of providing young people with the opportunity to develop skills and confidence. It is a hugely exciting time for sailing as the British challenger bids to bring the America’s Cup back to Britain. I am looking forward to being part of this journey and I hope that through the 1851 Trust we can engage and inspire a new generation into sailing along the way. – The Duchess of Cambridge
EFFORTS:
June 10, 2014 – The Duchess Of Cambridge Visits The National Maritime Museum – Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, graced the Ben Ainslie Racing America’s Cup Launch Event at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, London, England. During her attendance, Catherine joined guests for breakfast and exchanged pleasantries with supporters, crew members, and boat designers. She also partook in a guided tour of the museum and took the opportunity to observe the America’s Cup class boat on display. The history of the America’s Cup dates back to 1851 when the trophy, crafted by Garrard, was bestowed by Queen Victoria to the victor of a race circumnavigating the Isle of Wight. This prestigious race and trophy were after that named after the winning vessel, the “America,” which hailed from New York. It is noteworthy that William and Catherine participated in an America’s Cup yachting race event while visiting New Zealand on April 11, 2014.
February 12, 2015 – The Duchess Of Cambridge Visits Portsmouth – The Duchess of Cambridge visited Ben Ainslie Racing (BAR) headquarters in Portsmouth Old Town, England. During the visit, she met with BAR’s Design Team, who explained the innovative technology behind the America’s Cup racing. The visit also included a stop at the construction site of the new headquarters and BAR Visitor Centre, where the Duchess participated in an art project coordinated by Southsea arts company Strong Island. The final stop was at the Spinnaker Tower in Gunwharf Quays, where the Duchess was briefed on the construction of the headquarters, the BAR Visitor Centre, and shown the racecourse for the America’s Cup World Series event in July. The Duchess also met with local students and apprentices from City College, Southampton, who are building two ‘Docking Ribs’ in a combined project with BAR.
July 26, 2015 – The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Attend The America’s Cup World Series – Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, participated in the America’s Cup World Series held in Portsmouth, England, marking her first official royal engagement following the birth of Princess Charlotte in May. Regrettably, inclement weather forced the cancellation of the America’s Cup races. Nevertheless, Catherine and William met with some crew members and management teams’ families. Additionally, Catherine visited the 1851 Trust, an organization she is a patron of. The 1851 Trust is committed to inspiring and involving a new generation through sailing and the marine industry and is endorsed by the Land Rover Bar team.
During her visit, Catherine engaged in a sailing simulation and, accompanied by Prince William and Sir Ben Ainslie, toured the facility. She had the opportunity to experience a “virtual sailing experience” by donning virtual reality goggles and interacting with a ship’s wheel. Users can experience being on deck during an ocean boat race. Staff members advised Catherine to cease the simulation if she felt unwell. The Duchess described the sensation as “weird,” although she appeared capable of managing the encounter, which simulated sailing in 15-knot winds.
Furthermore, William and Kate met with personnel in the center’s gym and “mission control” room, where training data is analyzed. The royal couple also interacted with the aerodynamics team, inquiring about the various sails employed.
May 20, 2016 – The Duchess Of Cambridge Visits Land Rover BAR And The 1851 Trust – The Tech Deck Education Centre was opened by Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, during her visit to Portsmouth, England. The 1851 Trust has collaborated with two prominent sailing charities in the U.K., the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation and UKSA, to offer 3,000 young individuals in the Portsmouth and Solent region the opportunity to engage in sailing and its associated advantages. The sailing program effectively involves young people in the STEM curriculum within a unique and relevant environment through STEMcrew activities. The Portsmouth Sailing Project, co-funded by Travis Perkins, will facilitate 1,000 young people aged 9-13 from youth groups and organizations in the Portsmouth area to partake in sailing. Furthermore, the Go Sail project, supported by Sport England, will introduce sailing to 2,000 14-16-year-olds from Solent schools. Additionally, the Trust is developing a digital educational tool for students and teachers named “STEMcrew,” which brings STEM subjects to life through a series of curriculum-linked challenges and activities, employing Land Rover BAR and America’s Cup Challenge as an engaging mechanism.
During her visit, The Duchess of Cambridge joined Olympic champion and America’s Cup tactician Sir Ben Ainslie on the U.K.’s test boat, T1. Catherine assumed the helm of the A.C. 45 catamaran, which is set to compete in the America’s Cup event in Portsmouth, England, in July, and even tried her hand at steering the Solent as the team headed out to the test course in Portsmouth’s harbor.
July 24, 2016 – Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge At America’s Cup World Series – As the Patron of the 1851 Trust, The Duchess of Cambridge, joined by The Duke of Cambridge, engaged with the young beneficiaries of the 1851 Trust initiatives. These approximately two hundred local youths played a crucial role in the event, gaining insight into the America’s Cup environment and the technological aspects of sailing. The educational activities, focusing on teamwork, sustainability, and ocean health, were designed to empower them. The ‘gutter boat’ racing and interactive equipment usage further highlighted their integral role in understanding sailing technologies.
Subsequently, Their Royal Highnesses visited the Land Rover BAR team base to witness their cutting-edge testing boats. They interfaced with the team members, propelling advanced designs and technologies to support the team’s pursuit of securing the Cup. Later, they spectated as the USA, France, New Zealand, Japan, Sweden, and the British Challenger teams competed in three races on the Solent. Many spectators observed the races from the Race Village on the Southsea seafront. Their Royal Highnesses awarded the event winners with their respective trophies.
June 16, 2017 – Attending The 1851 Trust Roadshow – During her visit to the Docklands Sailing and Watersports Centre in London, United Kingdom, the Duchess of Cambridge participated in the 1851 Trust roadshow. The 1851 Trust, a charity associated with Land Rover BAR, organized the event to promote STEM subjects and sustainability among young people using the excitement of the America’s Cup. The roadshow attracted over 500 students during the school day and saw the participation of 700 young people and their families over the weekends. The Duchess observed various activities organized by the 1851 Trust. She engaged in a video call with Sir Ben Ainslie in Bermuda to discuss the campaign and career prospects within Land Rover BAR. The students were encouraged to recognize the significance of STEM subjects concerning team and race boat development. In addition to educational activities, the event offered canoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddle-boarding, and other activities to familiarize the youth with the Bermudan island life, where the 35th America’s Cup took place. Teachers were also provided access to supplementary learning resources on BT STEM Crew to nurture students’ interest in the America’s Cup and STEM disciplines further.
July 31, 2022 – Visiting The 1851 Trust And Great Britain SailGP Team – The Duchess of Cambridge visited Plymouth to meet with young people participating in the Trust’s activities to promote sustainability and get a taste of the incredible speed and skill involved in the SailGP – the global racing championship in Plymouth that weekend. During her visit to Plymouth, she spent time with young people passionate about making a difference and learning about seagrass, an essential tool to counter climate change. Furthermore, the children helped make seagrass mats that can be planted off Plymouth Sound to improve marine health and contribute to blue carbon capture. Her Royal Highness also joined the British SailGP team aboard their F50 foiling catamaran and participated in a friendly race against their New Zealand rivals, with Sir Ben Ainslie at the helm.
