Hampshire's Hannah White speaks of friend Oliver Smith (From This is Hampshire)

Hampshire's Hannah White speaks of friend Oliver Smith

9:52am Tuesday 1st December 2009 in

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Up-and-coming Hampshire yachtswoman Hannah White said she believed the British sailors detained in Iran would be handling the pressure well.

She said she knew Southampton sailor Oliver Smith and Oliver Young very well, having sailed and worked with both in the past.

She said Mr Smith was the skipper of the yacht seized by the Iranians and she had worked with him previously for Team Pindar in the Vendee Globe yachting race.

She said: ''He's a very calm, sensible young man. I am sure he will be dealing with the situation as best as he can.

''He is a very good sailor and I am sure he has done everything he can to ensure the safety of boat and crew.

''Sail Bahrain is a relatively new venture but Ollie has been working for the organisation, Team Pindar, for several years.''

Miss White, of Lymington, Hampshire, said she had sailed with Mr Young during his training with the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) youth scheme.

She said: ''He is a very good, talented sailor.

''It must be pretty tough for him because he is young but these guys are sailors because they are good with coping with difficult situations.

''It is a difficult situation but I have no doubt they will be dealing with it calmly, clearly and efficiently.''

She said that such a diplomatic incident was unexpected for international sailors but added that yachting crews were prepared for any eventuality.

She said: ''I do not think any of us think this is going to happen but it's as likely as losing a mast - it's a risk you take in our job.''