THE Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta is celebrating a significant sponsorship deal with a major company, Volvo Cars UK.

Not only is the announcement a welcome financial boost for this year’s event but it will see a number of special appearances by Team Volvo athletes, including members of the British Sailing Team.

Regatta chairman Ed Botterill said: ‘I am delighted that Volvo Cars is becoming a principal sponsor. The Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta is one of the biggest and best in the UK and our sponsors are vital to us. We really appreciate the loyal support we have from many companies and individuals and we are excited that Volvo Cars is joining them.’

Volvo Cars already has an extensive sailing sponsorship portfolio, including supporting 34 professional athletes know as Team Volvo. The company is one of the driving forces behind British sailing and has given major support to all levels, from grass roots up to the prestigious Volvo Ocean Race.

As part of its sponsorship of the regatta, Volvo Cars will be supporting the Junior Dinghy Sailing Series, in keeping with its strong commitment to youth sailing. It will also be supporting the full sailing programme on Sunday, August 28, including cruiser racing.

There will be a number of special appearances by Team Volvo athletes during the regatta, including members of the British Sailing Team who will have just returned to the UK from competing in Brazil.

Luke Patience, part of the British Sailing Team, Olympic silver medalist and world number two, is looking forward to the regatta. He said: ‘Dartmouth is an iconic sailing event, one that has been in the calendar for generations, so I am really looking forward to attending as a member of Team Volvo.

‘Not only will there be the opportunity to meet some of the team, but hopefully we can inspire more people to get out on the water and try sailing.’

In addition to the sailing programme, Volvo Cars will be actively involved in the rest of the regatta.

This will include family events in Coronation Park and there will also be the opportunity to view the latest Volvo cars that will be on display.

Nikki Rooke, head of sponsorship at Volvo Cars UK, said: ‘Dartmouth is a prestigious event in the calendar and another great opportunity to encourage more people to try sailing. Along with the attendance of our Team Volvo sailors, Volvo Cars aims to add to the celebratory atmosphere of the regatta with a host of activities to involve and entertain visitors of all ages.’

Ed Botterill added: ‘There is no doubt that 2015 was a difficult year for us financially and in other ways because of factors such as poor weather and the cancellation of the Red Arrows display.

‘Nevertheless, the committee is working very hard to ensure we have a terrific event this year and there is no doubt that the support from Volvo Cars will be a great help.

‘It’s a major milestone for us and we are looking forward to working with Volvo Cars and our other sponsors. We will be making further announcements about the programme in the next few weeks and I am sure the 2016 regatta will be a terrific event.’

The official regatta is from August 25-27 and the full programme of events runs from August 20-28.