Young sailors have been invited to compete for Musto sponsorship. Applications close 30 August

At the London International Boat Show in January sailing clothing company Musto launched their Junior Sailor Search #sailorsearch initiative. In response to the hundreds of individual requests for sponsorship that Musto from young athletes every year, their Junior Sailor Search programme is designed to fairly select who Musto will support from these applicants.

The #sailorsearch competition offers sailors aged 21 and under the chance to compete for campaign support valued at £5,000. The winner will also get the exciting opportunity of one-on-one training support from a Musto ambassador and gain valuable promotional exposure. All sailors are welcome to apply. Calling all helms and crew, including dinghy, inshore and offshore racers.

Specifically, Musto is looking for young sailors who have significant experience on the water and have proven themselves on the racecourse. Entrants will also be judged on their sportsmanship and contribution back to the sport.

To enter, young sailors must submit a sailing CV and supporting images or video to juniorsailorsearch@musto.com.  Finalists will be  judged against the above criteria by a panel which includes Musto ambassadors Ian Walker, winning Volvo Ocean Race skipper and two-time Olympic silver medalist; Charlie Enright, youngest Volvo Ocean Race helm and four-time All American collegiate sailor; fellow Brown University and Alvimedica teammate, team manager, and Melges 32 champion Mark Towill, and Richard Mason, 470 European Championship silver medalist, U21 49er European Championship gold medalist and winner of the Solitaire de Figaro rookie award, and Volvo Ocean Race rookie award.

Following selection by the panel, the ten finalists will be put to public vote to determine the winner.

Entries are open until 30 August 2016. Finalists will be announced on 5 September. Public voting will close on 1 December with the winner announced 2 December. Entrants must be 21 or under as of 1 January 2017 to enter.