Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy seeks a souvenir (From Dorset Echo)

Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy seeks a souvenir

12:10pm Monday 16th July 2012 in Weymouth and Portland Sailing Olympics and Paralympics 2012 News

THE Olympic Sailing venue on Portland is seeking a torch from the home Games to display as a ‘long-term loan or donation’.

John Tweed, the chief executive of the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, is appealing for an inspirational torchbearer from last week’s Olympic Torch Relay through Dorset to share their acc-olade with the borough’s Olympic venue.

Mr Tweed said: “We would really love to display an Oly-mpic torch at the London 2012 sailing venue.

“We’re hoping for either a long-term loan of a torch or a donation and we will of course reimburse any costs.”

Last Thursday, the sailing academy at Osprey Quay played a key role in the torch relay when Skandia Team GBR performance sailor Katrina Hughes carried the flame across the dinghy park before passing it to Olympic double gold and silver medallist Rodney Pattisson, who carried the flame by sea to Weymouth Beach.

The Tuesday before, the Mayor of Torbay had gifted a replica 1948 Torch from the last home Games to the Portland sailing academy.

The historic torch, which had travelled across 80 miles of sea from Torquay all the way to the London 2012 sailing venue as part of the RYA’s 1948 Sailing Relay was celebrated by sailing clubs along the route.

Mr Tweed said he hoped a torch from the forthcoming home Games could be displayed alongside its 1948 counterpart.

Anyone who is able to help is asked to call the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy on 01305 866000.