2.4mR class welcomes British Sailing Stars at the RYA Dinghy Show
by Karenza Morton 8 Mar 2013 06:16 GMT
2-3 March 2013
In demand London 2012 Paralympic champion, Helena Lucas, took time out from her packed show schedule to catch up with organisers of the 2013 International 2.4 Metre Open World Championships when the class attended the RYA Dinghy Show last weekend (2-3 March).
The Skandia Team GBR and Team Volvo for Life star, who won gold at Weymouth and Portland last summer, took the opportunity to chat with members of the 2.4mR International Class Association and Worlds host club, Poole Yacht Club, ahead of her appearance at the 2013 Worlds, taking place in Dorset in September (6 - 14 September).
2012 class Worlds bronze medallist, Megan Pascoe, arguably Lucas' biggest rival in the battle for selection for Rio 2016, also joined the class on the stand for the day on Sunday as the fully Worlds branded 2.4mR boat attracted plenty of attention over the two days of the show.
The RYA Dinghy Show brings together thousands of people from Britain's sailing community at Alexandra Palace, London every year, with this year's show giving the 2.4mR class the perfect opportunity to raise awareness and the profile of the forthcoming home World Championships, as well as introduce interested newcomers to what the boat is all about.
Steve Bullmore, International 2.4mR Class Association secretary, said: "We were delighted to see Helena and Megan at the RYA Dinghy Show. Helena was extremely busy at the show so it was great she took the time to come over and say hello and have a chat about the Worlds, while it was fantastic that we had Megan with us on the stand on Sunday, talking to people with such enthusiasm and passion about the class.
"Over the two days we had an awful lot of interest from people wanting to know more about not just the event but actually what the 2.4mR class is all about and what makes it such a unique class to get involved in. The whole show was really enjoyable and worthwhile."
The International 2.4mR World Championships are one of the most unique sailing events on the international racing calendar, with Paralympic and both able-bodied and disabled Worlds medallists, male and female, competing in the same boats on a level playing field.
Sponsorship opportunities for the event are still available. Interested parties should contact Fiona Rainback at
For more information about, or to enter the 2013 International 2.4 Metre Open World Championships visit www.24mworlds2013.co.uk