See the new Olympic Womens 49erFX skiff at the Big Weekend

by Rob Eyton-Jones 14 Dec 2012 11:45 GMT 23-24 February 2013

There will be plenty of new kit on display at the Big Weekend, though none quite as new as the recently created women's 49er FX Skiff, which will be brought to Scotland by one of our key exhibitors, Scottish Sailing.

For Scotland this will be something of an historic event. The skiff is one of the most exciting changes made to Olympic sailing for the Rio 2016 Games, replacing the Elliott 6m as the women's two-person skiff.

The 49er FX is gradually making its way across the world. By the end of September 2012 there was already FX sailing in 19 different countries and at the end of last month, 135 rigs had been shipped to 21 countries.

So far only 12 have arrived on British shores since the boat's launch in September, with seven of them allocated to the British team. That leaves just five in the rest of the UK, none so far in Scotland, although Scottish Olympic hopeful Charlotte Dobson is sailing an FX in Weymouth.

So bringing the boat to the Big Weekend, where it will be on show in the Olympic Display in the trade hall, will give the Scottish public an opportunity to see something new and still rare. "The 49er FX is a very exciting addition to the Olympics, now offering the same opportunities for male and female sailors," said Duncan Hepplewhite, owner of Scottish Sailing, which has worked intensively with the 29er class in Scotland over the past 18 months, taking it from two to 25 boats.

"We are delighted by the growth and success of the 29er and will continue to develop the class. This is particularly important as the UK youth scene is now dominated by the 29er class, the smaller sister boat to the 49er."

"In Scottish Sailing's tenth anniversary year it is particularly exciting to see skiff sailing in Scotland go from strength to strength. 2013 looks like it will be a very exciting year for all of the classes racing in Scotland."

This innovative and adaptable Scottish Sailing grew quickly from its beginnings in 2002 to include boat spares, boats sales, servicing including brands such as Topper, Selden, North Sails and Holt. Its SailingFast website has been designed to offer a quick online solution for sailing spares, from essentials, like sails and trolleys, to tiny shackles and ropes.

Scottish Sailing exhibited at last year's Big Weekend, and with the show's continued growth in 2013 they are keen to return. It will be exhibiting an extensive range of equipment and boats, including Optimist, Topper and 29er. And there will be a bargain bin of last season's equipment.

"The Big Weekend will be bigger and better this year and we are delighted to be a part of that and support RYA Scotland in putting on the event," continued Duncan.

"We are always very keen to support sailing in Scotland and currently look after the Solo, Topper and 29er classes along with the Scottish Youth Series.

"The Big Weekend is a great opportunity to reach a wider audience which may include those who have little experience of dinghy sailing."

Scottish Sailing is supporting the Big Weekend in another important way by sponsoring the RYAS Young Volunteer Award, to be announced on the Saturday night of the event during the official awards dinner.

At the moment the prize is being kept well under wraps, although suffice to say that with Duncan's sailing and coaching experience at youth level, it will certainly be a sought after prize.

"You get to the stage, that you appreciate how much went into getting us on the water as children and that maybe we should give something back, which is why we are sponsoring the Young Volunteer Award."

If you know a young person at work in sailing who you would like to nominate for the RYAS Young Volunteer Award, go to www.ryascotland.org.uk and complete the online nomination form.

The 2012 RYAS Awards categories are:

• RYA Scotland Coach of the Year
• RYA Scotland Instructor of the Year
• RYA Scotland Club of the Year
• RYA Scotland Volunteer of the Year
• RYA Scotland Young Volunteer of the Year
• RYA Scotland's Elizabeth Mackay award – for outstanding female contribution to the sport

All winners will be announced and presented with their awards at RYA Scotland Big Weekend in Largs on 23 February 2013.

For more information about Scottish Sailing and SailingFast please go to www.sailingfast.co.uk.