1948 Sailing Relay begins in Torbay

The 1948 Sailing Relay - Torbay to Weymouth strats in Torquay © RYA

The 1948 Sailing Relay - Torbay to Weymouth strats in Torquay © RYA

A replica of a 1948 Torch which was carried through Torre Abbey 64 years ago, began a very unique journey in front of a packed crowd in Torquay yesterday (20 May).

The 1948 Sailing Relay, organised by the RYA is celebrating London 2012 and will see this 1948 Torch travel by water from Torquay to the Olympic sailing venue at Weymouth, visiting 16 sailing clubs along the way.

Sixteen year old Jacob Barnett from the Royal Torbay Yacht Club had the honour of being the very first sailor to carry the torch as he collected it from the beach in his Laser just after the 2012 Olympic Torch Relay passed through the town.

“The atmosphere was fantastic and we were delighted to begin our relay in Torbay yesterday” said Tony Wood, RYA South West Regional Development Officer who organised the event.

“In the summer of 1948 this Torch welcomed athletes from 25 nations who were about to compete in the 1948 Olympic Sailing event. Being able to showcase it again to the people welcoming the 2012 Torch Relay has been a wonderful opportunity”.

The Torch was then sailed to Paignton Sailing Club where it was received by John Maynard who competed in the 1968 Olympic Games sailing in the Finn class.

Today it begins the second leg with the Paignton juniors sailing to Brixham Yacht Club where the Torch will be welcomed by the town councillors, leaders, and members of the club as well as the public.

“Sailing clubs across the coast have so many wonderful events planned with sailors and windsurfers of all ages travelling alongside it as it travels from venue to venue. In the South West there is such a wonderful local connection to the 1948 Olympic Sailing Events which took place in Torbay and this is a fantastic opportunity to get out on the water and celebrate our sailing heritage” Tony concluded.

The journey will end in Weymouth on 10 July when the1948 replica Torch will be gifted to WPNSA. The relay is part of the RYA’s Sail for Gold initiative which 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 London 2012, and maximise support for the British Sailing Team.

The torch will be visiting the Royal Torbay Yacht Club, Paignton Sailing Club, Brixham Yacht Club, Babbacombe Sailing Club, SeaSports SW, Teignmouth Corinthian Yacht Club, Starcross Yacht Club, Topsham Sailing Club, Lympstone Sailing Club, Exmouth Sailing Club, Sidmouth Sailing Club, Beer Sailing Club, Axe Yacht Club, Lyme Regis Sailing Club, Castle Cove Sailing Club, Weymouth Sailing Club, Osprey Training Centre and SailLaser.

Thanks to Torbay County Council for the help in making this happen.

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