Sticker campaign

TRUSTEE of the Will Mackaness Trust charity Pam Govier, right, is among those calling for the borough to ‘Bring on the Games.’ Pam, who is also head of languages at Wey Valley School and Sports College, has nabbed one of 5,000 free window stickers produced by the Dorset Echo, the borough’s 2012 operations group and Chamber of Commerce.

She said: “It’s a fantastic opportunity for Weymouth and Portland to be part of this exciting event.

“I’m going to do a display at the school about the Olympic Sailing events; we’re going to have all these different nationalities here from across the world and I want the children to be inspired.

“It would be fun to see everybody getting involved with the sticker campaign.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity really, isn’t it?”

The Will Mackaness Trust is the chosen charity of the Dorset Echo’s Going for Gold campaign.

Businesses or individuals who would like to support the cause, which enables youngsters to experience the thrill of watersports, can call the Echo on 01305 830984.

Sailing

BRITAIN’S 49er duo Stevie Morrison and Ben Rhodes have given an insight into an athlete’s perspective at the Olympic sailing test event – the Weymouth and Portland International Regatta.

In their latest blog they write: “It’s a very different, very special atmosphere at these events. They are in so many ways, the biggest most exciting dinghy sailing events to be had.

“The top guys from around the world going head to head for gold.

“This is of course true, however as there is only one boat per nation the dinghy park is empty.

“With a very staggered pattern to when the racing for different classes starts, odd times, different days, you can be the only people about in a huge dinghy park.

“Lining up in the GBR section of the dinghy park here is quite an honour, all the Olympics medalists around you, the world titles, the European titles inspires confidence and Big Ben just two boats along makes you believe anything is possible.”

Read more on Facebook by searching for ‘Morrison Rhodes 49er campaign’.

Timing

SWISS Timing staff are working behind the scenes to test their procedures and systems one year ahead of the London 2012 Olympic sailing competition.

The Weymouth and Portland International Regatta acts as a test event for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The images below from the International Sailing Federation ‘ISAF connect to sailing’ Facebook site shows what’s going on behind the scenes.

Paralympics

PORTLAND Paralympian Megan Pascoe is gearing up for the 2.4mR world championships in Norway, which begin on Friday.

The borough star, who is campaigning to represent Great Britain in the 2.4mR keelboat event at the London 2012 Games, is determined to catch the eye of selectors at the event.

Her biggest rival for selection is fellow Skandia Team GBR teammate Helena Lucas who is also expected to be going for gold at the event.

Castle Cove and Weymouth Sailing Club member Pascoe, who writes a regular blog for the Dorset Echo’s website, said: “I’m really looking forward to a good end of the season. I had a frustrating time in Weymouth earlier in the summer but am confident I can put a good event together in a very hot competition.”

Visit dorsetecho.co.uk/olympics