News online

OLYMPIC Star sailor Iain Percy, pictured, took over luxury men’s brand Alfred Dunhill Facebook page for a live question and answer session.

Fan Adam Clarkson asked: “Do you sail in your spare time, for pure enjoyment – or have you had enough by the time you get a break from training?

“I’d also love to know what your recommendation is for ‘best place on Earth to sail’. All the best for the summer.”

The double gold Olympic medallist said: “I’m generally away for 44 weeks of the year so it’s quite nice to spend a bit of time away from the water when I get a chance.

“Although, with the Olympics being in London I’ve been able to have a bit more time at home.

“I love Sailing and I’m sure that I will continue to enjoy it long after I’ve stopped competing.

“One of my most amazing experiences was sailing in 50 knots at the laser worlds in South Africa in 95.”

Other questions can be seen online at facebook.com /AlfredDunhill.

Find Iain’s Facebook page by searching for ‘Iain Percy (official FB).’ • GET online and get ready for the biggest summer event the borough has ever seen.

The Echo will be bringing extra online news and information all through the Olympic and Paralympic Games, keeping readers up to date with all the latest results and activities as they happen.

In the build up to the events the Echo team will be using social media sites Facebook and Twitter to bring you the latest news, pictures and features on Britain’s sailing medal hopefuls.

Get online and show your support by liking our Facebook page – Weymouth Olympics 2012 and on Twitter @WeyOlympics2012.

Don’t forget to add #weymouth2012 to get your tweets trending around the world.

Regatta

ENTRIES for the 2012 Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta are now open, with an ‘early entry discount’ available to those who get their entries in before April 30.

The event is taking place from June 4 to 9, at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, the host venue for London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic sailing regattas.

All 10 Olympic and three Paralympic classes will compete across seven courses in Weymouth Bay and Portland Harbour.

The event will be the seventh instalment of Skandia Sail for Gold Fans of the sport are invited to register for free Spectator Day tickets on the final Medal Race day of Saturday June 9, when there will be big screens and live commentary, stalls and the prize-giving ceremony.

Visit skandiasailforgold regatta.co.uk

Sailing

BOROUGH Olympic contenders are off to Palma, Mallorca this week to train for next month’s Princess Sofia Trophy Regatta.

Portland’s 470 men’s team of Luke Patience and Stuart Bithell and Weymouth’s women’s duo of Hannah Mills and Saskia Clark are among those who will be competing at the event, which begins on March 31 and runs until April 7.

Portland’s Finn sailor Giles Scott is also out in Palma, training with his Skandia Team GBR teammate Ben Ainslie.

This year, is the 43rd edition of the prestigious regatta, which is also the third of seven events in the 2011-12 ISAF Sailing World Cup series.

Top performances will be crucial for the British sailors in the 49er and Laser Radial events who have yet to be selected for the London 2012 Games.