Olympic Games in 2012
When London hosts the Olympic Games in 2012, Weymouth and Portland Harbour in Dorset will be the venue for the sailing and paralympic sailing events.
The Weymouth and Portland area provides some of the best natural sailing waters in the UK, perhaps even in Europe, with facilities on land to match. The venue is located adjacent to the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA), which is at the Portland end of the causeway from Weymouth.
The Olympic sailing has kick-started the regeneration of the former Naval Air Station at Portland, now known as Osprey Quay, where new residential, commercial and marina facilities are already being constructed. A new slipway, 70 moorings and associated facilities are being developed at WPNSA. A new 600-berth commercial marina is also being built nearby. This will form part of the sailing venue, with 250 of the berths being used for test events and during the Games. Construction work is scheduled to finish by the end of 2008, so Weymouth and Portland will be one of the first venues to be ready for the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Sailing will be a non-ticketed event. It will be free for spectators who will be able to view the Olympic and Paralympic sailing competitions from Weymouth beach and also from the many high points around the coastline overlooking Weymouth and Portland Harbour.
Sebastian Coe, Chairman of the London 2012 Organising Committee, said: 'This scheme will transform Weymouth and Portland from an existing top class venue into a world class training and competition venue equipped to stage major international sailing events and competitions before and after the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The enhancements will also provide new opportunities and facilities to enable people from a wide range of backgrounds and abilities to experience the thrill of sailing. This will leave a legacy of elite and recreational sailing for future generations.'
Olympic Sailing
Event dates: Saturday 28 July - Saturday 11 August 2012
In Olympic sailing, competitors use strength and skill to guide their craft around a course, with the aim of crossing the finish line first. This involves moving the sail to get maximum power from the wind. Olympic-class sailing craft vary greatly in size from 3.35 metres to 8.2 metres. In 2012, there will be 10 different sailing classes, with races for men, women and open crews. Each event will consist of a series of races. Currently competitors score points for their position in every race, with the winner getting one point, second getting two and so on. At the end of the competition, the individual or crew with the fewest points is declared the winner.
Paralympic Sailing
Event dates: Friday 31 August - Wednesday 5 September 2012
Weather permitting, the paralympic sailing races will consist of nine separate runs, with each taking around an hour to complete. The races are usually contested over an 'out and back' course that consists of an upwind and downwind leg. Competitors accumulate points according to their position after each run, with one point for first, two for second and so on. The winner is the one with the lowest number of points at the end.
Email Alert
Sign up to receive London 2012's e-newsletter and keep yourself up-to-date with the progress of the Games.