"This was an amazing opportunity to row on the world stage"

Tuesday 16 January 2024

A Jersey medical student and competitive rower who has dazzled on the world stage with the help of a £1,000 award is encouraging others to apply for the prize to help achieve their own nautical ambitions.

The 2024 Jersey Clipper Bursary, which was launched last week, also offers £500 to the runner-up.

The cash award is designed to help Islanders of any age fulfil their maritime dream – whether that is a trip on a tall ship, attending a training course, participating in a watersports competition or competing in an ocean race.

"I hope to continue making the island proud"

The 2023 award went to Natacha Searson (20), a former Hautlieu pupil who currently studies medicine at Newcastle University. She used the £1,000 to help fund her travel, boat rentals, entry fees and accommodation costs in various national and international competitions.

She went on to win Gold at the British Beach Sprint Championships in July and was selected to represent Great Britain in the mixed quad at the World Rowing Championships in Italy in September where her team placed fifth.

Pictured: last year's winner Natacha Searson.

Miss Searson said: "This was an amazing opportunity to row on the world stage with some incredibly experienced rowers.

"I was also very proud to represent Jersey at the Home Nations Beach Sprint event in Wales in September, where I placed first in the women's singles. This was all made possible by the Jersey Clipper Bursary, which helped towards the costs of travel, training camps and accommodation.

"I am incredibly grateful for having been given this opportunity – and hope to continue making the island proud in the future."

She previously said that her long-term goal was to compete at the Rowing Beach Sprints at the 2026 Commonwealth Games and at the 2028 Olympics.

A clean sweep for female rowers

It was a clean sweep for female rowers in the bursary awards last year, with the runner's-up award going to Intrepid232, a group of four mothers who hope to break the world record for the oldest female fours crew to row any ocean as they participate in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge.

Rosemary Satchwell, Helene Monpetit, Alison Smithurst and Julie Brady are currently in the middle of the Atlantic completing their gruelling challenge.

Pictured: Intrepid232 on their campaign (World's Toughest Row).

The quartet have just over 1,000 nautical miles to row before they reach the sandy shores of Antigua. See page X.

The annual Clipper Bursary, a legacy from the three Jersey campaigns in the Clipper Round-the-World Race, was established 17 years ago through the generosity of Dandara, Les Pas Holdings and UBS.

Previous winners include Steve Hayes and Pete Wright, who completed the 3,000-mile Atlantic challenge in 54 days in early 2023.

They previously spoke about their "life-changing" 54 days at sea on the Bailiwick Podcast, which you can listen to by clicking above – or searching for it wherever you get your podcasts.

APPLY...

Islanders can apply for the 2024 Jersey Clipper Bursary before the end of April by outlining their particular nautical ambition in no more than 200 words in an email to philipjeune@gmail.com.