The International Stock Exchange (TISE) has sent a good luck message to Guernsey sailor Andrew Bridgman who is kicking off his world championship campaign today.

Under the banner of its new private markets service, TISE Private Markets, TISE is supporting Mr Bridgman’s quest to win the Foiling Waszp World Championships which are being hosted by the Sorrento Sailing Couta Boat Club in Melbourne between 11 and 16 December.

Mr Bridgman has spent the last two weeks making his final preparations in Australia where there’s been plenty of sun but also a few windy and rainy days and the wildlife joining him on the water has included dolphins but no sharks, yet.

Mr Bridgman said: “The training has been good so far. I’ve been racking up plenty of time on the water and getting used to the boat I have down here. There was a warmup regatta last weekend, The Sail Melbourne Official Regatta, where I finished 6th. That’s not a bad result at all but there’s still been plenty to work on, including ironing out some race strategy and tactics. Overall, I’m looking forward to the regatta getting going, and it looks like it will be great racing with everyone from around the world down here.”

“Our team at TISE has really bought into Andrew’s story and his quest to win a world championship."

Mr Bridgman qualified as an actuary but has paused his career to focus on training for the world championships. TISE is providing financial support to Mr Bridgman which is going towards the costs of competing in Australia, including his boat, other equipment, and coaching in Melbourne, as well as travel and accommodation.

Cees Vermaas, CEO of TISE, said: “Our team at TISE has really bought into Andrew’s story and his quest to win a world championship. It’s very exciting for us to have such a close connection with someone competing at this elite level and we wish him the very best of luck. We’re looking forward to following his progress during the competition.”

"Overall, I’m looking forward to the regatta getting going, and it looks like it will be great racing with everyone from around the world down here.”

TISE is currently celebrating its 25^th anniversary year of operating a public market for bonds and equities and earlier this year launched a new private markets service. TISE Private Markets provides unlisted companies with a dedicated marketplace through which they can access an integrated set of tailored electronic tools for share trading, cash and share settlement, and share registry management. The first company to join TISE Private Markets was Blue Diamond Limited, the leading UK and Channel Islands garden centre group which is headquartered in Guernsey.