Sailing memorabilia up for grabs at charity auction

Olympic legend Ben Ainslie's rash vest could spark a bidding war


Items of special interest to sailing as well as general sports fans will be coming under the hammer.

The Spirit of Sport Memorabilia Auction will be held at Plymouth's Life Centre on 10 February 2013.

The event will run from 5pm to around 8.30pm, with the auction starting at 7pm.

One of Ben Ainslie's rash vests or overbibs, signed by the quadruple Olympic gold medallist, will line up alongside a framed illustration signed by the whole of the 2012 British Olympic sailing team.

There will also be a GBR Olympics jacket and a jacket signed by the America's Cup legend Dennis Conner.

From New Zealand comes a framed piece of sailcloth from the yacht Camper, signed by Emirates Team New Zealand boss Grant Dalton and Volvo Ocean Race skipper Chris Nicholson while a pair of photographs of the 45-foot World Series catamarans racing off Plymouth is signed by Russell Coutts and Jimmy Spithill.

And from Spain comes a framed drawing of the hull lines of Volvo round the world race winner ABN AMRO ONE, signed by the designer, Juan Kouyoumdjian.

There will also be John Terry's football boots, a signed London Wasps team shirt or a Manchester United shirt signed by Dennis Law or even a signed photo and swimming cap from Ruta Meilutye, Olympic gold swimmer.

Funds are being raised in memory of Gracie Keown for Meningitus UK, Mollie Sanders for The Snowdrop Appeal and in memory of Royal Marine Sam Alexander MC for the 42 Commando Welfare Fund.

Sam's father, Stuart Alexander said: 'During 2011 we lost these loved ones and as a result we are committed to raising funds in their honour in order to help the lives of others.'

For further information you can contact Claire Alexander, Becky McLaren and the other organisers via the Facebook site called Spirit of Sport Memorabilia Auction.

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