Peter Harrison and Kit Hobday have announced that they are joining forces with the United Kingdom Sailing Academy in Cowes to form the Yacht Racing Academy.

The two patrons of British yacht racing are making their identical Far 52 yachts, Bear of Britain and Chernikeeff 2, available to the new Academy, which will be managed by UKSA and is intended to help young amateur sailors aged 18 and 25 experience big boat sailing and develop match racing skills at a professional level.

"Hopefully, after Valencia 2007, a new consortium in Great Britain will launch a new America's Cup campaign for 2010 or 2011", said Peter Harrison, President of the Yacht Racing Academy said.

"If so, the Yacht Racing Academy will provide a training ground for the new generation of potential British Olympic and Cup sailors".