Book your place for Passage to Portland - meet Team GB sailors

by Emma Slater, RYA 21 Apr 2012 09:06 BST

Passage to Portland

With less than two weeks to go until bookings are due to close for the RYA’s Sail for Gold ‘Passage to Portland’ celebratory weekend, there is still time for you to book your place for this once in a lifetime event.

We are delighted to announce that as part of the weekend’s activities you will have the unique opportunity to meet not one, not two but a whole host of Skandia Team GBR sailors, including Team GB Olympic and Paralympic sailors ahead of the London 2012 Games, at a special drinks reception at Portland Castle; giving you the perfect chance to have a chat with them before the Games.

We are also able to confirm that inspirational yachtswoman Dee Caffari MBE, the first woman in the world to sail non-stop around the world three times, will be joining us as host at the Portland Castle party and, Olympic Team Manager Stephen Park OBE will give guests a unique insight in to the Teams’ chances at the 2012 Olympics. And furthermore, double Olympic gold medallist Sarah Ayton will be providing the commentary on board a spectator boat for the Skandia Sail for Gold regatta.

So, if you’re looking to take part in something completely unique that promises to be fantastic fun and combines your passion for boating with the opportunity to get behind the scenes of the Olympic and Paralympic sailing regatta venue, ahead of the 2012 Games; or you’re looking for something completely different to do to celebrate the Queens Diamond Jubilee celebrations and make the most of the extended weekend; then this is the perfect event for you.

Taking place over the Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend (2-5 June) the RYA will be celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee with a whole host of ‘Passage to Portland’ activities and events.

You’ll get an exclusive opportunity to tour the Olympic and Paralympic sailing venue ahead of the Games, take a behind-the-scenes look at the Skandia Sail for Gold regatta and hear all about the British Sailing Teams’ preparations for London 2012.

With a reserved mooring waiting for you on arrival at Portland Marina, whether you sail or motor, all you have to do is enjoy a leisurely cruise to Portland to arrive on Saturday 2 June, and enjoy a weekend of celebrations centred around a British Street Party theme party at Portland Castle on Sunday 3 June.

“We have so much going on over the weekend for our visitors”, explained Sail for Gold co-ordinator, Celia Edgington.

“Alongside the amazing opportunity to meet so many inspirational sailors, we have a whole host of activities taking place including; tours of the Olympic and Paralympic sailing venue, BBQ, drinks receptions, the option to go dinghy sailing or windsurfing, and the chance to win a ride on the Boat Project. There is also time to view the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Pageant on TV, to watch the Skandia Sail for Gold regatta racing from our dedicated spectator boat, hog roast, the local sights and of course the Passage to Portland party at Portland Castle, the list really does go on and on.”

With some 100 people already signed up places are filling fast, so if you don’t want to miss-out book now.

Find out more here or email or call 023 8060 4233. Booking closes on 30 April.

Sail for Gold Good Luck Card competition

There is just one more week until the deadline for entries in the Sail for Gold Good Luck Card competition, where one lucky youngster could win a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to personally wish the British Sailing Team good luck in the lead up the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

If you’re aged between five and 16, all you have to do is design and create a good luck card which is creative, inspirational and that will really give the sailors encouragement when they are out on the water during the Games and you could be visiting the 2012 Sail for Gold Regatta in June, to personally deliver your card to a member of Team GBR.

The competition is open to individual entries and will be judged in three age groups: 5-8, 9-12 and 13-16. Cards can be any size, shape and as inventive you like but must be able to be delivered in the post and all cards must be delivered by 27 April 2012 to be accepted in the competition.

“We’ve had some amazing entries in the competition so far and the standard is very high but there is still time to get your entry in. I know our job as judges is going to be extremely hard and with well over a hundred entries all-ready, we’ve got lots to look at”, commented Sail for Gold coordinator Celia Edgington.

“I know that all the good luck messages make a real difference to the sailors and all the support means so much to the whole team and we’ll be making sure they get to see all the entries in the lead up to the Games. So get out the paints, pencils, crayons and glitter and send us your cards and you could be a winner”, she continued.

The Sail for Gold initiative aims to bring the excitement of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games to sailing clubs and training centres across the country in the lead up to and during the Games by looking at ways to inspire new and existing sailors to get out on the water, make clubs the focal point for members to join in the spirit of the Olympics, and maximise support for the British Sailing Team.

For more information visit www.rya.org.uk/sailforgold