15 May 2024

Berthon is pleased to announce its support for Olympic-qualified sailor Vita Heathcote as she prepares to compete in the first mixed crew 470 at the Paris Olympic Games, taking place from July 26 to August 11 2024. Vita qualified by achieving 2nd place in the recent 470 World Championships held in Palma, Mallorca.

Hailing from a sailing family in Lymington, Vita Heathcote's affinity for the water has been ingrained in her since childhood. While Optimist dinghy sailing locally and nationally, she was inspired by the three-woman keel boats raced in the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Olympics. It was a defining moment when she won the 2019 420 World Championships, and her coach prompted her to consider a 470 Olympic campaign. "Going to the Olympics will be my greatest achievement yet" Vita says, and Berthon is privileged to stand by her side.

Vita's connection to Berthon is deeply rooted. Dominic May, director of Berthon, commented "I've known Vita all her life; I was there when she won the Optimist Nationals in 2014, she has sailed with us on our J80, and I am delighted to now be helping on her Olympic journey.”

In the lead-up to, and throughout the Olympics, Berthon will be closely following Vita's journey and will be providing regular updates on her progress.

For media enquiries or further information, please contact Helen Davison, helen.davison@berthon.co.uk.