RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. has presented its first annual Bill Riker Scholarship for Young Sailors award, in partnership with the Bermuda Sloop Foundation, to 14-year-old students Kristen Greene and Courtney Dublin, both of the Berkeley Institute.

RenRe set up the scholarship with the Bermuda Sloop Foundation to mark Bill Riker's retirement this year from the positions of president and chief underwriting officer. The scholarship, which reflects Mr. Riker's love of sailing and his contributions to Bermuda's community, has been established to encourage deserving Bermudian students to experience sailing and thus enhance their teamwork, self-confidence and leadership skills.

The Bermuda Sloop Foundation is a broad-based youth programme for 13-25 year-old Bermudians, which aims to develop resilient and skilled young members of the community through sailing aboard its training vessel, the Spirit of Bermuda.

Neill Currie, president and CEO of RenRe, said: "Sailing has always been Bill's passion, and he cares deeply about Bermuda's community, so we felt it would be fitting to set up this scholarship in recognition both of his retirement and his many achievements."

Mr. Riker said: "Aside from the enjoyment derived from the sport, young sailors gain an awareness of their place in the natural environment. They learn how to adapt to the uncertainties of the weather and the ocean, and how to stay safe."