Emma’s film premiere at London show (From Dorset Echo)

Emma’s film premiere at London show

5:30pm Thursday 7th March 2013 in Sport By Laura Kitching

FOOTAGE of young Weymouth sailor Emma Stevenson sailing her Laser Radial boat Kiwi was premiered at the RYA Dinghy Show in London.

Shots of the Weymouth Sailing Club member on her home waters featured in a promotional video for the new Gul sailing kit range at last weekend’s event.

Simon Butterworth, managing director of the Virtual Rigger Gul Race Team, said Stevenson’s film work would be used as part of a training video to be released at a later date.

It is the second time that Kiwi has featured in an advertising campaign. Last summer the boat was pictured being put on a bus by Olympic Star sailor Andrew Simpson and used by London 2012 Games transport organisers to encourage people to plan their journeys in advance.

This time, Stevenson also got to share the limelight. The 15-year-old, from Osmington Mills, joined fellow members of the Virtual Rigger Gul Race Team – a select few youth sailors who have shown potential within their dinghy classes and are considered ambassadors of the sport – at the show.

Stevenson said: “It was great to be a part of the Dinghy Show and to listen to some interesting presentations such as that given by Olympic sailor Nick Thompson on getting the most from a Laser and look around the exhibition stands, gather information and admire many of the dinghies on display.”

The Wey Valley pupil was pleased to see the video clips of herself sailing at the 2012 National Schools Regatta, held on Portland, while sister Alexandra was also delighted to be featured in the footage, sailing her Topper dinghy and meeting HRH Princess Anne.

Tomorrow, Stevenson and Kiwi will be back on the sea for the start of the Laser Qualifiers at Stokes Bay.