PRINCESS Anne has made a welcome return to Portland to watch a prestigious round of sailing championships.

The Princess Royal, president of the Royal Yachting Association and patron of the International Dragon Class World Championships 2013, visited the Weymouth and Portland Sailing Academy yesterday afternoon.

She followed the racing from the academy’s Spinnaker function room and the adjoining balcony before taking a wider tour of the academy.

Princess Anne then joined members of the association on a sailing trip around the venue and signed the academy guestbook.

Martin Makey, chairman of the British Dragon Association, said: “The visit today was the perfect opportunity for Princess Anne to enjoy the boat racing.

“The royal family has a historical connection with the Dragons, as the Dragon cup was presented to Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh in 1948.”

Mayor of Weymouth and Portland Ray Banham, Mayoress Pamela Nixon, and Deputy Mayor of Portland Tim Munro were also at the academy to welcome Princess Anne.

 

Seventy-seven sailing teams from 16 nations have been racing the International Dragon keelboats.

Gordon Ingate, 87, from Sydney was at the academy. He said: “I took Princess Anne sailing from Sydney Harbour in a 12 metre yacht called Gretel 2 during the 1980s.”