The week includes serious racing for all classes as well as fun events – some of which include parents, both on and off the water.

For MPI Managing Director Michael Pettifer, sponsorship of the event is a no-brainer. He is a long-standing member of the club and over the past 19 years all three of his sons have taken part in Junior Week.

He says: “The Bosham event is a great opportunity for participants to put their training into practice under competitive conditions, and also to have a good time. It is a popular social event for the parents, too.”

MPI is a leading travel insurance provider, focusing on sailing insurance as part of its summer programme – complementing its winter focus on ski insurance.

“Sailing – like skiing – is a very popular pastime and becoming a major element in our summer business. Our involvement as sponsor of youth events is a way of giving something back to the sports,” says Michael Pettifer.

Recently MPI was involved for the ninth successive year as sponsor of nearby Itchenor Sailing Club’s annual Schools Week and, for the first time, its Junior Fortnight.

MPI also sponsors Team Thompson Sailing – four Surrey brothers based at Frensham Pond Sailing Club. This summer, the three eldest brothers have been in the GBR squads participating in world and European events for International 420 and RS Tera squads.

MAIN PICTURE: MPI-sponsored Team Thompson Sailing brothers Ross (16) and Johnny (14) (Frensham Pond Sailing Club) recently took part in the International 420 World Championships in San Remo. Sailing in the Under 17 category, they took 31st place overall – and 1st GBR placing – narrowly beating Itchenor’s Eleanor Keers and Isobel Pugh on total points. They were also in the 420 European Junior Championships at Balatonfured in Hungary where the took 23rd place – and 2nd GBR placing – in the Under 17 category. Younger borther Jake (11) was in the RS Tera World Championships at Santona, Spain, where he took 8th place in the Sport fleet.