Chance to see Olympic stars in Skandia Sail for Gold regatta (From Dorset Echo)

Chance to see Olympic stars in Skandia Sail for Gold regatta

1:00pm Wednesday 2nd September 2009 in

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ACTION-PACKED racing from Olympic-class sailors will be among the highlights of a free public open day next month.

Organisers hope more than 1,000 people from Weymouth, Portland and beyond will turn out to support the sailing stars as they battle for victory in the Skandia Sail for Gold regatta.

Hosted by the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, the weeklong event will culminate on Saturday, September 19, with final medal races and the free public open day.

Local champions taking part include Weymouth’s Olympic bronze medallist windsurfers Bryony Shaw and Nick Dempsey and gold medallist Laser sailor Paul Goodison.

Gold medallist sailor Pippa Wilson, of Portland, who sailed to victory at last year’s games with Weymouth’s double gold medallist Sarah Dempsey, will team up with Saskia Clark of Wyke Regis to compete in the women’s 470-dinghy fleet.

Visitors will be able to watch big-screen coverage of the races, view live tracking of the boats, a stage for medal presentations, refreshments and stalls.

Event director David Campbell-James said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming visitors from Weymouth and Portland and beyond, and giving them the chance to find out what an international Olympic Classes regatta is all about.

“Sail for Gold is an important step in the RYA’s efforts to engage the wider public in sailing and to help people better understand and appreciate our sport at its very best.

“Visitors will be able to watch the heroes and heroines of Beijing and Athens, and potentially of London 2012, as well as enjoying a big day out.”

More than 500 boats in all 10 Olympic classes plus three Paralympic classes are expected to compete in the regatta, which this year doubles up as the seventh and final round of the 2008-09 ISAF Sailing World Cup series.

Families can take to the water themselves with dinghy-taster sessions run by SailLaser staff, which cost £10 per person or £20 per family of four per hour.

Meanwhile, the RYA OnBoard team will run a festival for 40 youngsters from Dorset clubs as well as giving 40 more Weymouth and Portland schoolchildren the chance to hone their skills out on the water.

Steve Davies, borough council spokesman for tourism and leisure, said: “This is definitely a unique opportunity for the local community to not only come to the academy but to enjoy an interesting multi-level experience. They will have a very good time.”

Members of the public can book free tickets online at www.skandiasailforgoldregatta.co.uk or just turn up on the day between 10am and 3pm.

Visitors are asked to park at the nearby Chesil Beach car park, where free shuttle buses will operate to and from the academy.