The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025 has appointed two ‘Youth Ambassadors’ to inspire the next generation of potential Sail Trainees.
Finn Dixon, 19 from Cruden Bay, and Vaila Wright, 21 from Aberdeen, were the standout candidates from a competition selection process involving over 65 organisations across the North East of Scotland. The competition was judged by a panel of senior representatives from local youth and maritime organisations.
A spokesperson for The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025, said: “We are delighted to have Finn and Vaila join the Tall Ships Aberdeen team as our Youth Ambassadors. They have an incredible passion for sailing, and I know they’ll inspire young people from all backgrounds and experiences to take the plunge and become a Sail Trainee in 2025.”
This summer, Finn and Vaila will embark on an epic journey aboard the majestic Roald Amundsen, sailing from Tallinn, Estonia to Turku, Finland, from 13-20 July as part of The Tall Ships Races 2024.
The Youth Ambassadors will share their experiences through social media and promote the life-changing Sail Trainee experience with young people in schools, colleges, universities, youth clubs, and public events across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025 will see 100 young people ages 15 to 25 living in an AB postcode recruited as Sail Trainees to sail aboard a Tall Ship from Dunkirk, France to Aberdeen, or from Aberdeen to Kristiansand, Norway.
No prior sailing experience is required. Funding and support will be available for young people, with applications opening later this year.
About Finn Dixon
Finn Dixon has been sailing since he was seven years old and is an instructor at Aberdeenshire Sailing Trust, sharing his love for sailing and the outdoors with hundreds of young people every week. Finn also works closely with Young Scot, is a member of UNICEF’s Youth Advisory Board.
Finn said: “I’ve been in love with sailing from quite a young age, sailing and teaching dinghies in Peterhead. I’m really excited to be taking part in The Tall Ships Races 2024 as a Youth Ambassador. This is an incredible opportunity – I can’t wait to sail aboard a Tall Ship this summer and then inspire others in the community to do the same next year.”
About Vaila Wright
Vaila Wright sailed in The Tall Ships Races in 2022 and 2023 races on Swan and Eendracht respectively and was selected as an Ambassador when the Tall Ships were in Lerwick last year. As Commodore for the University of Aberdeen’s Sailing Club, she encourages its members to get involved in Tall Ships and Sail Training in any way they can.
Vaila said: “Last year, I was given an amazing opportunity to connect to the younger generation on how life-changing sail training can be. I’m so honoured to be taking part in this exciting experience again and hope to inspire more young people to take part in The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025.
For more information about The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025, and updates from Finn and Vaila, click here, and follow Tall Ships Aberdeen on social media.
