Outside the Weymouth and Portland Sailing Academy - photograph courtesy of Geoff Kirby

ONE of the key points of the London 2012 bid was the promise of an Olympics to benefit the entire country.

Nowhere is to see this benefit more than Weymouth and Portland, and the sailing academy that will host the world in 2012. Britain has won a gold medal in sailing at the last two Olympic Games, and fields a strong line up in Beijing. But what of sailing at grassroots level? The Royal Yacht Association, UK sailing’s governing body, estimates its membership at around 500,000.

“We intend to build a lasting legacy, both of world class events being attracted to the venue, but also in terms of encouraging community sailing, particularly amongst young people and people with disabilities” said John Tweed, development manager at the academy. Opened in April 2000 at a cost of £7m, the Olympic Delivery Authority has invested nearly another £7m in order to make the venue ready for 2012. The Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy is to help lead the search for Britain’s future Olympic sailors.

 

Click below for a look at the Weymouth and Portland Sailing Academy.