Shirley Robertson OBE and BBC’s Chris Hollins join The London School of Samba at RYA Sail for Gold Ball 

Presenting team and special entertainment confirmed for 2016 Sail for Gold Ball celebration

Prepare to be entertained!

The RYA Sail for Gold Ball team is pleased to announce that Shirley Robertson OBE and Chris Hollins will host guests at London Hilton on Park Lane on 4 July for the 2016 Ball.

Guests will also be treated to a taste of Rio in the heart of London courtesy of the London Samba School. More familiar than you would expect with the Samba, BBC Watchdog and Secret Britain presenter Chris Hollins won the support of the public throughout the 2009 season of Strictly Come Dancing, eventually winning the series proving that he really was the people’s choice.

Joining Chris is double gold medallist and BBC and CNN presenter Shirley Robertson OBE who is certainly the people’s choice in the world of sailing presenting. From the Olympics to the America’s Cup you will find Shirley gracing our screens, bringing the sailors and their stories to sports fans around the world.

“Being part of the Sail for Gold Ball is really special to me. Remembering how amazing it felt to be there as a sailor and now presenting the Rio team is a real honour,” said Robertson.

“The Ball is such an important element in the sailor’s Olympic or Paralympic journey. The years of hard work feel worth it when you’re selected to go to the Games and then being on that stage with 800 friends, family and the sailing community really supporting you and encouraging you to get out there and win a medal! It’s a fantastic night.”

To mark the occasion the RYA Sail for Gold Ball has partnered with the London School of Samba to provide stimulating and topical entertainment at the London Hilton on Park Lane in July.

The Samba School is excited to perform at the Ball for the guests and sailors on their way to Rio, putting together a performance that will be irresistibly colourful, infectiously loud and unforgettably full of the richness of Brazil!

As the UK’s first Samba school it was founded in 1984 and is a vibrant community of eclectic individuals from all over the world, who have been brought together by their passion for Brazilian Carnival, a passion which should illuminate the British Sailing Team’s fundraising Ball on 4 July. Not their first foray into Olympic sport, the Samba dancers closed the London 2012 Olympic Games with their performance at the Closing Ceremony.

To complete the hosting line-up Nick Bonham will make a guest appearance auctioning eight incredible ‘money can’t buy’ prizes. These will be available to view on the Ball website from next month.

Tickets and partnership opportunities are available either directly from the website www.sailforgoldball.co.uk or by contacting Kate Mardel-Ferreira on 07940 806505 or at sailforgoldball@rya.org.uk

Secure your table now!