Yachting-Live

Dinghy Sailing Show Ends with a Bang
The RYA show once again raised the enthusiasm of dinghy sailors to an explosive finale when a spectacular parade of dinghy sailing’s national champions and the firing of confetti cannons signalled the end of the 2008 RYA Dinghy Sailing Show at London’s Alexandra Palace.

Taking place on the weekend of March 1 and 2, and opened by Olympic medallist and five times Finn Gold Cup winner Ben Ainslie, the show boasted 11,500 visitors over the two day event.

The exhibition provides a national showcase for RYA affiliated class associations and clubs.

And since the RYA has 103,000 personal members and an estimated further 500,000 boat owners nationally - members via the clubs and associations - the show is a valuable arena for the industry to get to grips with the public at a grassroots level, through direct participation as well as a programme of lectures and events.

Heralded a huge success by visitors, exhibitors and organisers alike, day two of the show saw Suzuki, Ribcraft and the RYA unveil their latest safety boat packages whilst a number of competition winners claimed their prizes.

Skandia Team GBR’s Sarah Ayton, Nick Dempsey and Helena Lucas were also on hand throughout the day signing autographs, answering questions from visitors. The show’s regular favourites, the Holt Blow Boat Challenge, the RYA Sailing simulator and model-boat pool all proved as popular as ever, pulling in the crowds throughout the weekend. — Boating Business, www.boatingbusiness.com

* Gurnard Sailing Club on the Isle of Wight was unveiled as the RYA’s first ever Club of the Year on Saturday at the RYA Dinghy Sailing Show, Alexandra Palace.

Club Commodore Caroline Stevens commented, ” We knew the other club finalists were very strong competition so everyone is delighted and very surprised to have won. Our club is run on an entirely voluntary basis so the award is for all of the hard work they put into the club. ”

The awards criteria identified clubs that were forward looking and vibrant, and promoted and encouraged people on to the water through a range of activities for all ages and abilities, from one off events to dedicated racing programmes. — www.ybw.com/auto/newsdesk/20080203100212ymnews.html

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 5th, 2008 at 10:40 pm and is filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.