The University sailing team will travel to France this weekend to represent Scotland in the Student Yachting World Cup.
This is the first time Aberdeen students have qualified for this event, which will take place at La Trinite-sur-Mer, Brittany from October 25 to November 1.
The Aberdeen team will be onboard a 32-foot Grande Surprise competing against teams from ten different countries.
Skipper Gareth Martel said: "Over the past four years, the Aberdeen University Sailing Club has gone from strength to strength, both by developing talent from within the club and attracting new blood onto our various teams. But we were all surprised and delighted at managing to qualify for this competition."
They did so by winning the Scottish University Sailing event held in Largs in the spring, where they overcame top Scottish, English and Irish universities.
They have since worked hard to gain sponsorship to enable them to train and compete effectively. A hectic training schedule has seen them criss-cross the English Channel and Irish Sea to compete as a team, as well as individually.
And they have left nothing to chance in their bid to make the podium for Scotland this weekend.
Martel explained: "We are so committed that we have been dieting to achieve perfect crew weight for the event, with each team member texting their weight to me every week to make sure they are on track."
The Aberdeen team is as follows: Gareth Martel, James Bowie, Alasdair Young, Caroline Beveridge, Douglas Guthrie, Jennifer Park, Andrew Berrow and Corey Fast.
For further information go to www.abdn.ac.uk/sportsunion or if you are interested in helping the team please contact them at 01224 272 54 5 or email href="mailto:vpsport@abdn.ac.uk">vpsport@abdn.ac.uk</a>.</p>