Sir Ben Ainslie and Iain Percy put their America’s Cup rivalry aside last night and joined forces to support a good cause.

The Olympic gold medallists attended the relaunch of the Bermuda Schools Waterwise Programme and presented the organisation with a grant of $15,000 on behalf of the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation.

Waterwise is a school-based, teacher-led programme that includes science, technology, engineering and maths to help young people in their intellectual, emotional, social and physical growth.

“We go around representing schemes in line with our values and our values are basically giving a leg-up to people that are passionate about bettering themselves and enjoying the sport of sailing, and Waterwise fits in perfectly,” said Mr Percy, manager of Artemis Racing, the Swedish America’s Cup challenger.

“It’s not just a learn-to-sail programme. There are many sailing programmes around the world but this is about giving people a head start in life who wouldn’t normally have the opportunity.”

Sir Ben, team principal and skipper of British America’s Cup challenger Ben Ainslie Racing, added: “It’s great for all of us involved with the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation, and really a thrill to see young children coming through and to try and support them in sailing.

“Sport for young people growing up is a great way to focus the mind and learn good life skills, and we just think the Bermuda Waterwise Programme is a fantastic initiative.”

The Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation was set up to continue the legacy of the late America’s Cup sailor, Olympic gold medallist and world champion who lost his life in an accident in the lead-up to the 34th America’s Cup in San Francisco Bay in 2013.

He was training with Swedish challenger Artemis Racing in a wing-sail foiling AC72 catamaran. The 72ft craft capsized, trapping the 36-year old under the hull for ten minutes. Attempts to revive him were unsuccessful.

The Waterwise programme also received $20,000 from the Bermuda Security Group at yesterday’s gathering, held at the Bone Fish Bar and Grill in Dockyard.

“What we like about this programme is how it integrates into the education system and how it helps develop life skills and confidence,” Herman Tucker, the Bermuda Security Group chairman, explained. “It’s a powerful tool for our children.

“I also like the aspect of it where it reaches children who probably normally would not be exposed to a sailing experience.

“Some of them may become competitive sailors. But it doesn’t matter, it’s what they learn from the programme that matters to us.”

Christian Luthi, the director of the programme, thanked the Foundation and Bermuda Security Group for their generous donations.

“We are extremely grateful and overwhelmed by their generosity and we very much hope they will be the anchor sponsors for a programme that we can really get some sustainability on,” he said.

“Sailing has so many attributes that can apply in the classroom in the education context, and what I would really like to see is it helping children appreciate learning and broadening their horizons.”

The Waterwise programme was introduced to the Island by world-renowned Olympic sailing coach Gus Miller in 2000, but has been significantly scaled back in recent years due to lack of funding.

Mr Miller was also in attendance at yesterday’s ceremony and spoke about the benefits of the programme, as well as paying tribute to the late Mr Simpson.