About IBI Sailing

IBI Sailing is a specialist company that supplies racing dinghies and equipment to the Junior and Youth classes. We are the acknowledged UK experts in the Optimist and 420 classes. IBI Sailing was originally set up in 1992 by Tani Bassadone where it was based in Sidlesham, near Chichester. The company moved to Ashford in Kent for three years and has recently moved again to new premises just South of Chichester, West Sussex.

Charles AInsworth

Charles took over the company in 2004. He has a PhD in genetics and his sailing background includes a variety of dinghies (Wayfarer, B14, RS800), all sailed badly. He is happy to let his children, Ben and Sophie have the limelight in sucessful dinghy sailing. Sophie was 420 Junior Europeans silver medallist, Youth and Ladies 29er World Champion and now campaigns a 470 as part of the GBR development squad. Ben sailed Optimists, 420s and Fireflies (where his Southampton University team won the BUSA trophy in 2008) and is Southern Zone squad head Optimist coach.

Rob Gullan

Rob joined the company in 2009. He has a BSc in Business management. Rob is an experienced team racer in Fireflies (for Southampton University). He now sails RS200s and campaigns an SB3; his boat, Sun MIcrosystems, came 6th at the 2009 Worlds. Rob is our GRP repair expert.