For Aberdeen Asset Management, the sponsorship of Team Aberdeen Singapore and their status as the main Local Partner for the Singapore Act, adds to the global asset manager’s growing sailing sponsorship portfolio, which includes ‘Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week’; an event where they had their first foray into Extreme 40 sailing in 2011, entering a British team into the UK leg of the 2011 Extreme Sailing Series. “We are delighted to bring the Extreme Sailing Series to Singapore as it promises lots of entertainment and we have developed a successful association with sailing elsewhere in the world” said Hugh Young, Managing Director at Aberdeen Asset Management Asia Limited. “We are happy to be able to support Singapore’s sailing ambitions and the inclusion of two young Singapore sailing stars will generate great local interest.”
An aspiring Olympic laser sailor, 22-year-old Scott Glen Sydney is the man charged with the task of skipper, making him the first ever Singaporean to skipper an Extreme 40. Together with fellow Singaporean and Asian Games keelboat match racing gold medallist Justin Wong, 27, the duo will line up against some of the world’s best sailors as part of Team Aberdeen Singapore as the invitational team in Act 2 of the Extreme Sailing Series. The ‘invitational team’ concept was introduced to the Series this year to provide a platform for host nations to compete on their home waters, yet be part of the full season leaderboard.
Thrilled to be part of the inaugural team representing Singapore, Scott said, “I’m very excited at the prospect of representing Team Aberdeen Singapore in the Extreme Sailing Series in Singapore. This is an immense opportunity and I hope to use this experience to become a more well-rounded sailor.”
Justin who is looking forward to race on home waters said, “The credentials of the competitors are very strong, racing against the world’s best sailors on home waters is a very rare opportunity. It’s a great privilege to be part of Team Aberdeen Singapore and I’m looking forward to exciting racing at the Extreme Sailing Series.” The three remaining crew members will be announced at a later date.
The action in Singapore will begin on the 11th April with the official media day before the free to enter public Race Village opens from the 12th. The Extreme 40 fleet will race in the circuit’s action packed ‘stadium’ format on Marina Bay Reservoir offering excellent spectator views of the racecourse from the Race Village and VIP areas and spectators will be spoiled with front row seats at The Promontory@Marina Bay. Whilst the conditions at this time of year are expected to be light, the tension on the racecourse will be enhanced by the enclosed stadium right at the heart of the city.
