Yachts & Yachting Olympic Supplement

28 Yachts & Yachting July 2012

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OLYMPICSAILING

SUPPORTED BY THE

2012 DEFINITIVE

GUIDE

THE SAILO

RS, CLASSE

S, COURSES &

TIMES

Olympic supplement-17.indd 28 22/05/2012 17:39

SUZUKI HAS AN OUTBOARD FOR EVERY APPLICATION

Suzuki four stroke outboard motors are technologically advanced, compact and fuel-efficient. With a range of engine sizes from the lightweight and portable DF2.5 to the award-winning power of the V6 DF300 Lean Burn, Suzuki has an outboard for every application whether it is leisure or commercial use.

There are many compelling reasons why more and more commercial boat operators are turning to Suzuki outboards to power their craft.

Lower initial outlaySuzuki’s four stroke outboards offer excellent value for money and are extremely fuel-efficient, meaning that you can go further, faster, for less.

More usable spaceWith Suzuki’s compact outboards bolted to the transom, you will have more usable space within the boat for passengers and/or equipment.

Ease of maintenance/less down-timeThe fact that outboards are on the transom rather than installed in the boat makes for easy access for regular servicing and maintenance. In the event of

a major failure (and these are extremely rare!) an outboard motor can be replaced in a matter of hours, rather than the days that it could take to replace an inboard engine. So, if the worst does happen, your boat won’t be out of action for long.

Outstanding power to weight ratioLightweight and compact, Suzuki outboards deliver plenty of low-end torque, instant throttle response, smooth acceleration and fast top-end speed, whilst large diameter propellers aid grip and low speed manoeuvrability. In particular, Suzuki’s V6 family, of 200-300hp outboards, have a unique narrow 55-degree cylinder block and an offset drive shaft making them extremely compact and ideal for twin installations.

When only the best is good enoughIt is because of all of these advantages that Suzuki has been appointed as the sole supplier of four stroke outboard motors to the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games Sailing Regatta. The outboards will be used to power some of the support boats and the models chosen are the DF300A Lean Burn, DF200, DF140, DF90A Lean Burn and the

2011 NMMA Innovation Award-winning DF40A Lean Burn.

The support boats will perform a number of race-management and marshalling functions, including; mark-laying, judge, jury, umpire and measurement roles during the various on-water competitions plus there will be a number of Beneteau boats used to get VIPs and the world’s media as close to the action as possible.

One of the key requirements for the jury and umpire boats, particularly those marshalling the Sailing competitions, is to be as manoeuvrable as possible in order to stay close to, but not get in the way of, the action. The torque and acceleration that the Suzuki engines provide makes this possible. These lightweight engines are also quiet, produce little or no vibration and are incredibly fuel-efficient which makes them ideal for this type of commercial application.

Suzuki can provide support and expertise for most sizes of commercial operation. For more information visit www.suzuki-marine.co.uk or to discuss your requirements call 01908 336600.

Judge, Jury, Safety & Media – Suzuki powers them all

Advertisement feature

Untitled-3 1 23/05/2012 11:45

July 2012 Yachts & Yachting 3

Contents04 Sailing at the Olympics A brief history

06 The venue and courses The course areas and timetable

12 Finn Heavyweight singlehander

14 Laser Men’s singlehander

17 Radial Women’s singlehander

18 49er High performance skiff class

20 470 Men’s and women’s

doublehander

24 Star Men’s keelboat class

26 Elliott 6m Women’s match racing class

28 RS:X Men’s and women’s sailboard

32 How to start sailing Together with the RYA we share

a quick-start guide to getting started, or getting back into the sport

ISAF world rankings stated were as of 02/05/12

Olympic sailing 2012

As an island nation, it’s hardly surprising that sailing is a sport at which Great Britain excels. For the last three Olympiads the British sailing team has

led the world, bringing home more medals than any other nation – there aren’t many other sports where we can confi dently claim to lead the world.

The British sailing team for 2012 is perhaps the strongest we have ever fi elded… there is every chance of exceeding our massive six medal haul from Beijing (remember we have only one entry in each of the 10 classes!). However, anything can happen in an Olympic regatta, and pressures are immense – it wasn’t long ago we were lucky to get one or two medals from each Games, so our team has a lot to live up to. Yes our sailors are on home waters, but the waters of Weymouth are very familiar to many of their rivals, especially the Europeans who have done a lot of sailing over here. But we have the power of the nation behind our team, and they are very well prepared… it’s going to be an exciting event!

Based in Weymouth for the duration of the event, myself and the rest of the team at

Yachts & Yachting Magazine will be following the event closely, bringing you exclusive news and in depth interviews the whole way through. This guide contains all you need to know to follow the events… and we’ve even included some information on taking up the sport for anyone inspired to give it a go. Sailing clubs up and down the country will be running numerous events to welcome newcomers. We think it’s a fabulous sport to be enjoyed by all the family, so here’s to making the most of the Games, both in terms of medals, and in terms of inspiring new participants. Best of luck, and enjoy a fabulous summer of sailing.

Gael Pawson, Editor

PHOT

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TION*

The British sailing team is probably the strongest ever fi elded

Subscribe to Yachts & Yachting

magazine and enjoy further coverage of the Olympic

sailing throughout the Games for less than £10! Go to

www.subscription.co.uk/yachts/OS16

1651 Olympic Welcome.indd 3 22/05/2012 17:41


Sailing has a long history in the modern Olympic Games. It made its debut at the 1900 Paris Games on the River Seine. Things have changed a lot since then, including

the sport’s name – back then it was called yachting, a name which was changed in 2000. In the early years it was mostly yacht or keelboat classes that competed. The fi rst Olympic regatta had an ‘open’ handicap class and six other classes rating from 0.5 to 20 tonnes. The half-tonner ‘Scotia’ is the only yacht to have won two medals, winning silver in the 0.5-1 tonne class and a gold in the ‘open’ class. There were no restrictions on the number of entries per country, enabling France to win all three medals

in the Half-Tonne class – the home nation topped the medal table with four golds, four silvers and six bronze medals! Great Britain was second.

Legendary momentsThe 1908 Games saw the introduction of the newly-formed Metre classes. They were used for a number of Olympic regattas, but the future lay in one-design classes. The Star, which is due to make a record 19th appearance in Weymouth, made its debut at the Los Angeles Games in 1932.

Few competitors contested Olympic yachting during this era and only those of independent means. However it wasn’t unusual for women to compete. Brits Frances Rivett-Carnac (1908 London) and Dorothy Wright (1920 Antwerp)

won Olympic titles with their husbands.The 1948 London Games, known

as the ‘austerity Games’, saw the birth of a legend, when 19-year-old Dane Paul Elvstrøm won his fi rst gold in the Olympic monotype (the Firefl y dinghy). Seven more Olympic Games and three more golds were to follow.

Competitors during this era were strictly amateur, but competition got tougher with bigger fl eets. Britain won fi ve medals between 1948 and 1956, compared to 16 between 1900 and 1936.

A huge purpose-built marina was constructed at Kiel for the Munich Games in 1972 and the number of classes increased from fi ve to six. For Montreal in 1976, two keelboat classes were replaced by the glassfi bre 470

Sailing makes its debut at the Paris Olympics with racing on the River Seine in seven different classes. France wins 14 medals

The Metre classes are introduced. Racing takes place on the Clyde (an England vs Scotland race) and the Solent

Yachts dominated the early years of Olympic competition. Dinghies fi rst raced at the Antwerp Games

The Star class, which is still competing today, makes its debut in the Los Angeles Games

The fi rst post-war Games is known as the ‘austerity Olympics’. The sailing is held in Torbay; Paul Elvstrøm wins his fi rst gold

Helsinki sees the Olympic debut of the Finn class, with Britain’s Charles Currey winning silver behind Elvstrøm.

Keith Musto and Tony Morgan, win Flying Dutchman silver at Tokyo the fi rst time Asia hosts an Olympics

Briton Rodney Pattisson wins his fi rst gold at Mexico (with Iain MacDonald-Smith); gold in 1972 and silver in 1976 follow

1900 1908 1920 1932 1948 1952 1964 1968

OLYMPIC SAILING A brief history...

ABOVE The Sydney Games in 2000 was one of the most spectacular in recent history and marked the start of Britain’s world-leading run of success

1651 Olympic History.indd 4 22/05/2012 17:48


dinghy and the multihull Tornado in a bid to modernise the Games.

In 1988 the fi rst women’s class was introduced in the 470, the USA’s Lynne Jewell and Alison Jolley won the fi rst women’s gold medal. It was followed by the intrduction of women’s windsurfi ng and singlehanded classes in 1992, by which time there were 10 classes in total. By 2000 this was up to an all-time high of 11 classes for the Sydney Games.

To fi nd out more about the history of British Olympic and Paralympic sailing visit the RYA’s ‘Our Sport Life – Sail for Gold’ Olympic and Paralympic sailing heritage exhibition which will be at the Weymouth Bayside Festival for the duration of the Olympic sailing event (July 27-August 2).

Year Medal Class Type Sailors

2008 Gold Finn Singlehander Ben Ainslie

Gold Laser Men’s singlehander Paul Goodison

Gold Star Men’s keelboat Iain Percy/Andrew Simpson

Gold Yngling Women’s keelboat Sarah Ayton/Sarah Webb/Pippa Wilson

Silver 470 Men Men’s doublehander Nick Rogers/Joe Glanfi eld

Bronze RS:X Women Sailboard Bryony Shaw

2004 Gold Finn Singlehander Ben Ainslie

Gold Yngling Women’s keelboat Shirley Robertson/Sarah Ayton/Sarah Webb

Silver 470 Men Men’s doublehander Nick Rogers/Joe Glanfi eld

Bronze 49er Skiff Chris Draper/Simon Hiscocks

Bronze Mistral Men Sailboard Nick Dempsey

2000 Gold Finn Singlehander Iain Percy

Gold Laser Men’s singlehander Ben Ainslie

Gold Europe Women’s Singlehander Shirley Robertson

Silver Star Keelboat Ian Walker/Mark Covell

Silver 49er Skiff Ian Barker/Simon Hiscocks

1996 Silver Laser Men’s singlehander Ben Ainslie

Silver 470 Men Doublehander John Merricks/Ian Walker

1992 Bronze Soling Keelboat Lawrie Smith/Robert Cruikshank/Ossie Stewart

1988 Gold Star Keelboat Mike McIntyre/Bryn Vaile

1984 Bronze Flying Dutchman Doublehanded dinghy Jo Richards/Pete Allan

1976 Gold Tornado Multihull Reg White/John Osborn

Silver Flying Dutchman Doublehanded dinghy Rodney Pattisson/Julian Brooke-Houghton

1972 Gold Flying Dutchman Doublehanded dinghy Rodney Pattisson/Christopher Davies

Silver Tempest Keelboat Alan Warren/David Hunt

1968 Gold Flying Dutchman Doublehanded dinghy Rodney Pattisson/Iain MacDonald-Smith

Bronze 5.5 Metre Keelboat Robin Aisher/Adrian Jardine/Paul Anderson

1964 Silver Flying Dutchman Keith Musto/Tony Morgan

1956 Silver 5.5 Metre Keelboat

Bronze Dragon Keelboat

Bronze Sharpie Keelboat

1952 Silver Finn Singlehander Charles Currey

1948 Gold Swallow Keelboat Stewart Morris/David Bond

The Tornado and 470 are introduced. Reg White and John Osborn, win Tornado gold for GBR, with a race to spare

The British sailing team misses the Moscow Games due to a boycott by a number of governing bodies

Britain’s Cathy Foster wins the 470 British trials and fi nishes seventh at the Olympic Games. Windsurfi ng is introduced

The fi rst women’s class is introduced, as the 470 (formerly an open class) is split into men’s and women’s divisions

Two more women’s classes are introduced: a singlehanded dinghy (Europe) and women’s windsurfi ng

Ben Ainslie makes his debut, aged 19, winning silver in the Laser. John Merricks and Ian Walker win silver in the 470

The 49er class is introduced for the Sydney Games. Britain tops the medal table with an impressive fi ve medals, three of them gold

The Games returns to London. The sailing event is held in Weymouth. Britain fi elds its strongest team ever

1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2012

The table below illustrates the amazing success of British Olympic sailing in the last three Olympiads. From a single gold medal in the fi rst post-war Games in 1948, most years saw just a one or two-medal haul with some years yielding no medals at all. Single medals in 1984, 1988 and 1992 grew to two in 1996, then leapt to fi ve in 2000, fi ve in 2004 and six in 2008.

British Sailing medals

1948 1952 1956 1964 1968 1972 1976 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008

6

5

4

3

2

1

1651 Olympic History.indd 5 22/05/2012 17:49


Sign Post

Course area Time 7/28/2012 Time 7/29/2012 Time 7/30/2012 Time 7/31/2012 Time 8/1/2012 Time 8/2/2012 Time 8/3/2012 Time 8/4/2012 Time 8/5/2012 Time 8/6/2012 Time 8/7/2012 Time 8/8/2012 Time 8/9/2012 Time 8/10/2012 Time 8/11/2012

Finn 1400 Practice (W) 1200 Race 1&2 (N/W) 1200 Race 3&4 (W) 1200 Race 5&6 (W) 1200 Race 7&8 (S) 1200 Race 9&10 (P) 1400 MEDAL RACE

Star 1400 Practice (W) 1330 Race 1&2 (W) 1200 Race 3&4 (W) 1200 Race 5&6 (W) 1200 Race 7&8 (S) 1200 Race 9&10 (P) 1300 MEDAL RACE

Elliott 6m 1400 Practice (N) 1200 Round Robin (N) 1200 Round Robin (N) 1200 Round Robin (N) 1200 Round Robin (N) 1200 Round Robin (N) 1200 Round Robin (N) 1200 Quarter-fi nal (N) 1200 Quarter-fi nal (N) 1200 Sail-off (N) 1200 Semi-fi nals (N) 1200 FINALS

Laser 1200 Practice (S) 1200 Race 1&2 (S) 1400 Race 3&4 (S) 1200 Race 5&6 (P) 1200 Race 7&8 (N/S) 1200 Race 9&10 (P) 1400 MEDAL RACE

Radial 1200 Practice (S) 1200 Race 1&2 (S) 1200 3&4 (N/S) 1200 Race 5&6 (P) 1400 Race 7&8 (S) 1200 Race 9&10 (P) 1300 MEDAL RACE

49er 1200 Practice (P) 1300 Race 1&2 (P) 1200 Race 3&4 (P) 1200 Race 5&6 (P) 1200 Race 7&8 (P) 1200 Race 9/10/11(N) 1200 12&13 (N/W) 1200 RACE 14&15 (N) 1300 MEDAL RACE

RS:X m 1300 Practice (P) 1200 Race 1&2 (P) 1200 3&4 (N/W) 1200 Race 5&6 (P) 1200 Race 7&8 (N/W) 1200 Race 9&10 (P) 1300 MEDAL RACE

RS:X w 1300 Practice (P) 1200 Race 1&2 (P) 1330 Race 3&4 (W) 1200 5&6 (N/P) 1200 Race 7&8 (N/W) 1200 Race 9&10 (P) 1400 MEDAL RACE

470 m 1200 Practice (S) 1400 Race 1&2 (W) 1200 Race 3&4 (W) 1200 Race 5&6 (S) 1200 Race 7&8 (W) 1200 Race 9&10 (P) 1300 MEDAL RACE

470 w 1400 Practice (W) 1200 Race 1&2 (W) 1200 Race 3&4 (S) 1200 5&6 (N/W) 1200 Race 7&8 (P) 1200 Race 9&10 (P) 1300 MEDAL RACE

Today, there are no large yacht classes, just two small keelboat classes, with the remainder made up of dinghies, skiffs and sailboards. Each nation can

only send one entry per class – with 10 classes that means an absolute maximum of 10 medals.

Women’s match racing is making its debut at the Games, and altogether there are three women’s classes (set to rise to four in 2016).

ClassesWeymouth 2012 sees 10 events;

Men’s classes:• One person dinghy (Laser)

• One person heavyweight dinghy (Finn)

• Two person dinghy (470)

• Skiff (49er)

• Windsurfer – RS:X

• Keelboat – Star

Women’s classes:• One person dinghy (Laser Radial)

• Two person dinghy (470)

• Windsurfer (RS:X)

• Keelboat – Match Racing (Elliot 6m)

Race formatsNine of the 10 classes are fl eet racing

classes. Each fl eet races over a series of 10 races (15 in the case of the 49er class), with points being awarded according to fi nish position (1 point for fi rst etc) and the worst scores being ‘discarded’ to give an overall ranking. The top 10 boats then go through to a fi nal medal race, which is a double scoring race and cannot be discarded. The winners are decided based on fl eet points (less discards) plus the medal race points.

The only exception to this is the women’s match racing, where only two boats race at a time in a best of mini-series of ‘matches’. Initially they

wHeN & wHeRe?The race formats, schedule and where to watch...

1651 Olympic p6-9.indd 6 22/05/2012 17:50


Course area Time 7/28/2012 Time 7/29/2012 Time 7/30/2012 Time 7/31/2012 Time 8/1/2012 Time 8/2/2012 Time 8/3/2012 Time 8/4/2012 Time 8/5/2012 Time 8/6/2012 Time 8/7/2012 Time 8/8/2012 Time 8/9/2012 Time 8/10/2012 Time 8/11/2012

Finn 1400 Practice (W) 1200 Race 1&2 (N/W) 1200 Race 3&4 (W) 1200 Race 5&6 (W) 1200 Race 7&8 (S) 1200 Race 9&10 (P) 1400 MEDAL RACE

Star 1400 Practice (W) 1330 Race 1&2 (W) 1200 Race 3&4 (W) 1200 Race 5&6 (W) 1200 Race 7&8 (S) 1200 Race 9&10 (P) 1300 MEDAL RACE

Elliott 6m 1400 Practice (N) 1200 Round Robin (N) 1200 Round Robin (N) 1200 Round Robin (N) 1200 Round Robin (N) 1200 Round Robin (N) 1200 Round Robin (N) 1200 Quarter-fi nal (N) 1200 Quarter-fi nal (N) 1200 Sail-off (N) 1200 Semi-fi nals (N) 1200 FINALS

Laser 1200 Practice (S) 1200 Race 1&2 (S) 1400 Race 3&4 (S) 1200 Race 5&6 (P) 1200 Race 7&8 (N/S) 1200 Race 9&10 (P) 1400 MEDAL RACE

Radial 1200 Practice (S) 1200 Race 1&2 (S) 1200 3&4 (N/S) 1200 Race 5&6 (P) 1400 Race 7&8 (S) 1200 Race 9&10 (P) 1300 MEDAL RACE

49er 1200 Practice (P) 1300 Race 1&2 (P) 1200 Race 3&4 (P) 1200 Race 5&6 (P) 1200 Race 7&8 (P) 1200 Race 9/10/11(N) 1200 12&13 (N/W) 1200 RACE 14&15 (N) 1300 MEDAL RACE

RS:X m 1300 Practice (P) 1200 Race 1&2 (P) 1200 3&4 (N/W) 1200 Race 5&6 (P) 1200 Race 7&8 (N/W) 1200 Race 9&10 (P) 1300 MEDAL RACE

RS:X w 1300 Practice (P) 1200 Race 1&2 (P) 1330 Race 3&4 (W) 1200 5&6 (N/P) 1200 Race 7&8 (N/W) 1200 Race 9&10 (P) 1400 MEDAL RACE

470 m 1200 Practice (S) 1400 Race 1&2 (W) 1200 Race 3&4 (W) 1200 Race 5&6 (S) 1200 Race 7&8 (W) 1200 Race 9&10 (P) 1300 MEDAL RACE

470 w 1400 Practice (W) 1200 Race 1&2 (W) 1200 Race 3&4 (S) 1200 5&6 (N/W) 1200 Race 7&8 (P) 1200 Race 9&10 (P) 1300 MEDAL RACE

All racing is scheduled to start at 1200, apart from the medal races, which are scheduled as follows

Date Time ClassAugust 5 1300 Star 1400 Finn August 6 1300 Radial 1400 LaserAugust 7 1300 Men’s RS:X 1400 Women’s RS:XAugust 8 1300 49erAugust 9 1300 Men’s 470August 10 1300 Women’s 470August 11 1200 Elliott 6m fi nals

Medal race timescompete in a Round Robin series where they all take it in turns to race one another, then from that the teams with the highest points race one another in quarter-fi nals and semi-fi nals, before a fi nal race to decide gold and silver.

Where can I watch it?The BBC promises it will be covering more sailing than ever this Olympiad, with promises to show all the televised races (not all courses will have cameras on). These may be shown on the main channels, on the red button, or online. Part of the problem with sailing, of course, is it is wind-dependent, so all start

times are approximate and subject to change. If you look at the timetable, the start times correlate to the start of the fi rst race on that course area. Wind shifts or lack of wind can mean starts abandoned or delayed, so nothing is set in stone!

Another great way to follow the sailing is at your local sailing club, many clubs will be organising viewing events during the Games, especially at weekends, contact your local club to fi nd out more.

In Weymouth and PortlandIn Weymouth itself, ticket holders will be able to watch the Medal races and a selection of other races from the ticketed Nothe viewing area.

Even if you don’t have a ticket, there will be plenty going on in and around the town to provide an interesting day out. There will be large screens on the beaches and at the Bayside festival, where there will also be lots of exhibits and the 400-person capacity ‘Balmoral’ will be operating Bay cruises at 1200 each day (www.weymouthbaysidefestival.co.uk/).

You can’t simply turn up with your own boat as shipping movements are strictly regulated for the duration of the Games, but as well as the Balmoral’s services, there are a number of yacht and powerboat charter companies offering special days out to watch the racing, including Valhalla Yachting, which will have its two Swan 55s at the event (www.valhallayachting.com) and Solent Yachting (www.myolympicregatta.com).

ABOVE There are three course areas in Weymouth Bay - West (W), South (S) and East (E), a course in Portland Harbour (P) and the Nothe (N) course.

Table correct at time of publication but could be subject to change

Weymouth Bay South

Weymouth Bay East

Weymouth Bay West

Portland Harbour

Sailing centre

Nothe

1651 Olympic p6-9.indd 7 23/05/2012 16:37

2012 Good Luck 2.indd 1 15/05/2012 17:12:04

www.allenbrothers.co.uk

Prospecting for Gold.“The new swivel cleat we helped develop with Allen has made a real difference to our jib trimming”. Stevie Morrison/Ben Rhodes - 49er

PHOT

O: F

RIED

ELL

IOTT

/frie

dbits

.com

MADE IDE IN THE UKN THE UK

The Sail for Gold regatta at Weymouth and Portland

will be the last opportunity for sailors to test their skills

and equipment before the 2012 games.

Selected 49er team Stevie Morrison and Ben

Rhodes, and 470 team Stuart Bithell and Luke

Patience have been working closely with Allen to

develop some of the boat fittings that will support

them through their campaigns, with new products

such as the improved 49er central jib swivel which

will optimize the task of trimming for the helm, the

adjustable jib cars on the 470 allowing the crew

to perfect sheeting and the new Carbon Fiber/

Kevlar telescopic tiller extension on the 470 allowing

the crew to helm from the trapeze.

We’d like to take this opportunity to wish them and

all our development teams the best of luck in this all

important event.

We’re proud to be part of taking British Sailing to

the 2012 games.

08_YY_SUP_0712.indd 17 23/05/2012 16:04


Sailing is in many ways a complex and demanding sport. Not only do the sailors have to juggle the demands of sailing the boat; hoisting and trimming the sails,

steering and using their body weight to keep it upright and moving through the water as fast as possible, but there are a host of other considerations.

There’s the wind, which constantly varies in strength and direction. Then there is the tide or current, its effects need to be taken into account, as do the waves. Then there are the other boats, especially at the start and when rounding marks, putting yourself in the right position to ensure you have clear wind and you have the right of way.

You don’t need to know all the intricacies in order to follow sailing, but a few basics are helpful.

The startThe startlines for most of the classes are set between orange flags flown

from a pair of vessels known as committee boats. Only the match racing differs, using an inflatable orange racing mark at the port end instead of a second committee boat flag. The starting countdown sequence used is 5-4-1 (five minutes, four minutes, one minute pre-start), and is signalled by flags and sounds.

Boats may start anywhere along the line, though usually there is a ‘favoured

end of the line’ in relation to wind and tide, that sailors will aim to take advantage of. They cannot start before the start gun, but aim to be in the most advantageous position to make the fastest start in as clear wind as possible.

CoursesEach class completes several laps of a course designed for its own specific type of racing.

The course and its length varies according to the type of boat racing and the wind speed. Marks (inflatable buoys) are laid by the race officers prior to the start, positioned in relation to the wind and tide. Courses are sometimes shortened and can even be abandoned if the wind drops or shifts too much. Boats are usually sent upwind for the first leg of their course, while the finish is usually downwind.

There are two types of course, windward-leeward and trapezoid. A windward-leeward course, mandatory for the 49ers, requires boats to sail into the wind to one mark, then return with the wind to a second mark. A trapezoid course is a four-leg course with separate starting and finish lines.

‘Pumping’Sailors can only use the natural action of the wind and waves to propel the boat. Pumping the sails and the use of body kinetics is not allowed, except for in the Finn and 470 classes, which may use kinetics above certain wind speeds, and the windsurfing which is exempt. Infringements on the water are signalled with a yellow flag.

Right of wayThere are three basic rules ensuring boats keep out of the way of each other, although a collision should be avoided at all costs.• Port gives way to starboard• Windward boat keeps clear• A boat behind and on the same tack

shall keep clear of one in front

Protest!If a sailor believes another sailor has broken the rules they will call “protest” and fly a red flag to signal an alleged rule infringement by another boat.

A sailor accused of a rule infringement can either accept their error and negate it by completing a one or two-turn penalty, or protest it once ashore, in front of a protest committee. The committee listens to all parties and decides which boat was wrong, penalising the offending sailor.

For more on the basics of sailing, including some basic lingo, see page 34.

left Example general course types. Courses for the medal races will be windward-leeward, some classes will include a trapezoid, while the windsurfers’ course will include a slalom. The start and finish lines may vary and courses may combine slightly different elements of these three basic formats.

above Surfing down a wave to get maximum speed

A few bAsiCs

You don’t need to know all the intricacies to follow sailing

a Basic trapezoid course b Windward-leeward

C Added slalom

1651 Olympic p6-9.indd 9 22/05/2012 17:50


Becoming an Olympic or Paralympic champion doesn’t happen by accident. When, as we hope, at least one Brit stands atop the podium, draped in the Union Jack with the

National Anthem booming, this summer, that sailor’s success will represent the thousands of people throughout the UK who work tirelessly every week to make sure Britain has the best shot of remaining the world’s top performing nation.

That champion sailor will probably never know of the existence of the volunteer that spends every Sunday helping out with junior training at their local club, just as that volunteer won’t know the intricacies of what the newly-crowned Olympic champion has been through.

Yet both these individuals are inextricably linked by their love of sailing, and at the heart of this sits the sport’s chief championer, the RYA.

The RYA wears many different hats, protecting and defending the rights and interests of the whole of Britain’s boating community, from yacht and motor cruisers to inland waterways users, powerboat racers and windsurfers.

Yet once every four years, the outside world gets the highest profi le insight into the pinnacle of what the RYA’s racing department does, thanks to the Olympic and Paralympic Games. And for every medal won, it is recognition for those thousands of people at every level, from every walk of life, that the RYA umbrella covers.

Since 2000 Britain has been untouchable in winning Olympic medals. 16 medals - nine gold, four silver and three bronze – won at the last three Games in Sydney, Athens and Beijing equals the total accrued from 1952 to 1996.

This has been universally credited to how quickly the RYA capitalised on the arrival of National Lottery funding in 1997 leading to the rapid implementation of a highly-strategic Olympic programme.

Add an innovative, high-level corporate sponsorship programme, headed up by long-term investment specialists Skandia, sailors now have access to an extensive support network enabling them to run professional, full-time campaigns, all managed by the RYA.

Becoming an Olympic or Yet both these individuals are

Path to gloryThis network includes coaching,

physiology, medicine, psychology, meteorology, nutrition, technical projects and logistics.

The big picture dominates everything and cannot stop at those athletes, sports scientists, coaches and administrators in the immediate business of winning medals. It has to capture the kid sat at home who has never been in a boat and the parent who sits at the sailing club drinking coffee. These are the Olympians, Paralympians, coaches and race offi cials of the future.

At the heart of what makes Britain so good at sailing is the RYA’s grassroots programmes; OnBoard, Team15, RYA Training, Volvo RYA Champion Clubs and the teams of thousands of dedicated professionals and volunteers working with and within Britain’s sailing clubs and centres to try to get more people out on the water for the fi rst time and beyond. The theory is that the bigger, more structured the pool of people there is to choose from the more likely you are to develop medal-winning potential.

Regardless of their route into the sport, those youngsters identifi ed as being of the right age, ability and potential are invited on to the fi rst step of the RYA’s World Class Performance pathway - one of the world’s most extensive racing and race training programmes for sailors under 19, the RYA National Junior and Youth squad programmes.

So just remember, as you sit there this summer watching another sailor add to Britain’s Olympic and Paralympic medal hauls, who is behind them. Natural talent, unwavering commitment and sheer bloody-mindedness may get you most of the way, but support takes you over the fi nish line. And no-one supports like Britain’s sailing community led by the RYA.

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

DRAFT RYA ad1.indd 10 23/05/2012 10:39

Pinnell & Bax ltdHeathfield Way, Kings Heath, Northampton NN5 7QP

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The 2012 Olympic Games marks the 60th Olympic anniversary for the Finn class, which was designed by Richard Sarby in 1949 specifi cally for the Olympics.

Its fi rst Games was in Helsinki in 1952 and it has been used at every Games since. Legendary Danish sailor Paul Elvstrøm took gold in the class that year – his second in a record run of four golds, which Britain’s Ben Ainslie aims to equal in Weymouth.

The Finn class by its very nature tends to attracter older sailors than the Laser, and thereby sees a huge amount of highly talented sailors. Many of the world’s top sailing athletes have competed in the class - Russell Coutts, Jochen Schuemann, Roy Heiner, John Bertrand,

John Cutler and Peter Homberg have all won medals in the Finn.

A technical boat, the class is a one-design, with tight rules, but a variety of builders and the opportunity for some innovation and choice when it comes to the selection of masts, sails, builder choice and fi ttings. The need for the latest technology when it comes to sails and rig make it more expensive to campaign than the Laser, but make it more testing on a sailor’s technical ability as well. It’s very tight at the top and the podium isn’t consistent for anyone really, apart from perhaps Ben Ainslie who you’d expect to get a medal. With a number of other international names vying for the other podium positions this is a tough class to call but the racing is guaranteed to be tight.

FINN

Specifi cationsHull length 4.5mSail area 10sq mHull weight 145kgCrew 1Crew weight 80-110kgYear of design 1949Designer Richard SarbyFirst Olympics 1952

MEN’S HEAVYWEIGHT DINGHY

Did you know?The Finn has survived 13 reselections as an Olympic class and 60 years of technical development, from wooden hulls and cotton sails of the 50s, to the composite hulls and carbon masts of today.

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Ben Ainslie

World ranking: 32Age: 35Born: 05/02/77, Macclesfi eldNickname: BeanoStarted sailing: Aged 3 on a Folkboat in Holyhead with his parentsStrength: DeterminationWeakness: Time diverted for other projects (America’s Cup)Previous Olympics: 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008Career highs: Three Olympic gold medalsSporting heroes: Russell Coutts and Paul ElvstrømOther interests: Football, golf

Ben Ainslie is the country’s biggest sailing name, and rightly so. With four Olympic medals (three gold) he is the country’s most successful Olympic sailor with a record to rival that of the great Paul Elvstrøm. He fi rst graced the pages of Y&Y when he was a young Optimist sailor. A silver medal at his fi rst Olympics (1996) in the Laser was a fabulous result aged just 19. In 2000 he took gold – match racing Brazil’s Robert Scheidt, who had denied him gold in 1996. Ben doesn’t make many mistakes, and he certainly learns from them! For 2004 he switched to the

Finn class, posting gold #2, followed by #3 in 2008. So consistent he almost makes it look easy, and yet he has had plenty of challenges. 2011 ended with a controversial incident that saw him out of a world championship he was favoured to win, and early in 2012 he underwent a major operation for a long term back injury. But he’s no stranger to fi ghting his way back, with his time diverted to the America’s Cup, he has consistently returned to re-claim his title of Finn king. His steely determination and sheer talent should reward him with a fi fth medal in Weymouth.

THE MAIN OPPOSITIONPieter-Jan PostmaWorld ranking: 6 Age: 30After missing out on selection in the Laser class in 2004, Pieter-Jan made the switch to the Finn in 2005. Going into the 2008 Games in Beijing he looked like a strong contender, fi nishing second in the Pre-Olympics, but posting a disappointing 14th at the Games themselves. Taking some time out of sailing to study and re-charge his batteries, he returned and fi nished 2011 with a second at the worlds in Perth.

Rafa Trujillo VillarWorld ranking: 2 Age: 36Rafa started his Olympic career crewing in the Star keelboat at the 2000 Games, where he fi nished eighth. Switching to the Finn class he won silver in Athens to Ben’s gold, but could only manage eighth in Beijing. Since then he has been a regular on the Finn class podium, although he had a relatively low key 2011, fi nishing fourth at the pre-Olympic test event, but more recently fi nished second in Hyeres.

Ivan Kljakovic GaspicWorld ranking: 3 Age: 28‘Bambi’ is consistently in the top end of the fl eet. He started in the Laser class, switching to the Finn in 2005 and fi nished eighth at the 2008 Games. In 2009 wins in the Europeans, Weymouth and Hyeres, third at the worlds and second in the ISAF world cup saw him fi nishing the year leading the world rankings. In 2011 he posted some solid results, but was fi fth at the pre-Olympics and 10th at the worlds. 2012 started on a better note with silver at the Europeans.

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The Laser is a relatively simple dinghy, a strict one-design, the hulls and rigs are supplied at major championships and allocated via a draw system – in

theory all the boats are identical, sails and rigs are strict one-design as are the foils and fi ttings. The Laser has fewer rig controls than the Finn, for example, keeping the cost of the boat to a minimum. Designed by Bruce Kirby in 1969, the Laser is by far the most widely-sailed Olympic dinghy, with over 200,000 boats having been built. Twenty-seven years after its debut as a car-toppable ‘Weekender’, the ubiquitous singlehander made its fi rst Olympic appearance at Savannah in 1996. The legendary Brazilian

sailor Robert Scheidt won gold at that Games and went on to become the most successful Laser sailor ever, winning eight world titles, a silver in 2000 and a second gold in 2004. Refl ecting the worldwide spread of the Laser, which is sailed in 140 countries, the men’s singlehanded dinghy will be the largest class at the 2012 Olympic regatta with 40 boats and the 2012 world championship saw an entry of 180 boats from over 30 countries. The smaller Radial sail has increased in popularity since its introduction in the 1980s, and replaced the Europe as the women’s singlehanded dinghy for the 2008 Olympics. The Radial uses the same hull and fi ttings as the standard Laser, but has a smaller, differently cut sail and shorter lower mast section.

LASER

Specifi cationsHull length 4.2mSail area 7.1/5.8sq mHull weight 56.7kgCrew 1Crew weight 70-90/55-70kgYear of design 1969Designer Bruce KirbyFirst Olympics 1996

SINGLEHANDED DINGHY

Did you know?The Laser dinghy is the largest of all the Olympic classes and is sailed in over 140 countries worldwide. Ben Ainslie started his Olympic career in this class



Paul Goodison

World ranking: 13Age: 34Born: 29/11/77, Sheffi eldNickname: GoodyStarted sailing: With father, aged four in a National 12 dinghyStrength: Downwind sailing tacticsPrevious Olympics: 2004, 2008Career highs: Gold in 2008Sporting heroes: Lance Armstrong, Steve RedgraveOther interests: Cycling

Paul was Ben Ainslie’s training partner for the 2000 Olympics, going on to qualify for the 2004 Games where he fi nished a painful fourth. That fi red his hunger and he went into the 2008 Games in great form, with wins in the 2006 and 2007 test regattas behind him. Even three months off with a broken wrist didn’t put him off. He came away with a well-deserved gold medal, and he is determined to defend his title. Four times European champion, he won the worlds in 2009 – a year in which he dominated the class and was probably his best yet. He then took some time off to sail bigger boats (mostly a Melges 32) to ensure he didn’t get stale before the Olympics. Last

year he was third in the Sail for Gold Regatta, third in the Pre-Olympics, fi nishing the event on a high by winning the medal race – it was enough to give him the Laser Olympic berth ahead of young Nick Thompson. He was a respectable fi fth in the worlds in Perth and 2012 has started well, with a fi rst in Miami and a second in Palma.

While Beijing was all about being light, Goody has focussed on bulking up for Weymouth to ensure he is more competitive in stronger winds. A lot will depend on the conditions in Weymouth: if it’s light, Goody is favoured, windy and it’s a different story, but he will be on home turf and if he is feeling fresh, then the gold is his for the taking.

Tom SlingsbyWorld ranking: 1 Age: 27Tom Slingsby went into the 2008 Games as one of the favourites, having won the worlds in 2007 and 2008, but he had a disappointing event and came home empty-handed. Now he is looking stronger than ever, having won the worlds in Perth, and followed that with a second world title win in May 2012. He is the defi nite favourite for gold, especially in windier conditions where he seems to have a defi nite speed edge on his competitors.

Andrew MurdochWorld ranking: 9 Age: 30A two-times team racing world champion, Andrew won bronze in the Laser Youth worlds in 1999 and silver in 2000. Fifth in Beijing in 2008, Andrew was third at the worlds in Australia at the end of 2011. That performance resulted in his announcement as fi rst member of the New Zealand Olympic sailing team. More recently, he took bronze at Hyeres, but he had a tough worlds in May fi nishing 25th, although he won the fi nal race.

Andreas GeritzerWorld ranking: 8 Age:34At the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Austria’s Andreas Geritzer fi nished fi fth. Then four years later at the 2004 Olympics in Athens he went on to win a silver medal, although in Beijing he could only manage 19th. More recently Andreas was sixth at both the 2011 and 2012 worlds, but although he hasn’t starred on the podium, he has looked consistent and his experience will stand him in good stead.

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www.laser.org.uk

Good Luck to Defending Gold Medallist

Paul Goodison Radial sailor

Alison Young

ChampionsBreeding class for

Join us the UK Laser Association

and ex-Laser sailors

Ben Ainslie [Finn] Saskia Clark [470 Women]

Iain Percy [Star] Bart Simpson [Star]

Breeding class for

Champions

16_YY_SUP_0712.indd 17 24/05/2012 09:37


Alison Young

World ranking: 4Age: 25Born: 29/05/87, WolverhamptonNickname: BongoStarted sailing: In a GP14 with her father at Trimpley Resevoiraged 9Career highs: Radial bronze, ISAF Youth Worlds in 2005Other interests: Uni cycling

The selection for the Radial class went right down to the wire - Ali Young’s

undoubtedly clinched her selection, together with her performance at the worlds in Perth. Although she was disappointed with seventh, her gutsy performance after a poor fi rst day was an illustration of what she is capable of - she sailed a fantastic remainder of the regatta, and at the Olympics where the pressure is on, being able to react like that will be a big strength.

Standing at 5ft 11 and weighing 68kg, she is one of the tallest and fi ttest Radial sailors. She used to run for her local athletics club near Birmingham, and recently won the Dorset 10-mile race in a time of 65 minutes! Unsurprisingly, given her stature and fi tness, strong winds are her strength.

While she has only once fi nished a grade one event on the podium, she has been consistently in the top 10, and if her improvement continues, she could just scrape a medal, especially if it’s windy.

THE MAIN OPPOSITIONMarit BouwmeesterWorld ranking: 2 Age: 24Marit was second in the Laser worlds in 2010 and went one better in 2011 to take gold, adding to her gold at the Pre-Olympics in Weymouth. It was enough to win the Conny Van Rietschoten Award, the Netherlands’ highest sailing honour. In a fl eet with few stand-out sailors, Marit is the most consistent performer in the class and undoubtedly the favourite for Olympic gold.

Evi Van AckerWorld ranking: 1 Age: 26Consistently on the podium throughout 2011, Evi defi nitely deserves a medal. In 2008 she was ninth at the worlds and eighth at the Beijing Games. With second places last year at the Sail for Gold Regatta, Pre-Olympics and world championships, she has carried that form into 2012, fi nishing third in Miami, second in Palma and Hyeres. In two years she has fi nished second eight times, eighth once and third once - suggesting a defi nite medal.

Paige RaileyWorld ranking: 6 Age: 25A winner of the Laser Radial youth worlds back in 2003, she won both the senior and youth titles in 2005, but missed out on selection in 2008. Paige has regularly been in the medals in recent times, fi nishing third in the Pre-Olympics and the worlds in Perth. She does post the occasional poor result, but she should certainly be in the medal hunt. Her brother Zach will also be competing in Weymouth in the Finn class.

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inclusion in the Olympic squad was only announced in early May. She is reportedly one of the hardest working members of the team, and has come into form at just the right time.

Back in 2005 Ali won a bronze medal at the Laser Radial worlds and was 27th at the women’s worlds later that year. Having graduated in 2008 with a degree in civil engineering, she went full time into sailing and her results have improved year by year, from 89th in 2008, to 26th in 2009, 12th in 2010 and seventh in 2011. In 2010 she was promoted from the Development Squad to the Performance Squad after a fl urry of promising results.

She was selected for the Pre-Olympics, where she fi nished seventh, going on to post a number of fourth places in international events through the end of 2011 and early 2012.

A fourth place in Hyeres this April

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Designed by the former 18ft Skiff world champion Julian Bethwaite, the 49er won the Olympic high performance skiff trials

in September 1996 outright and was selected by ISAF for the 2000 Games. It made an impressive debut in Sydney Harbour, showing crowds the exciting crash and burn racing that modern high-performance skiffs can deliver. A challenging boat to sail when the wind and the waves get up, capsizes are not uncommon even with the very top boats, which makes for an exciting spectacle as crews are pushed to their limits, and the slightest mistake can result in a lengthy swim. The 49er has a low drag hull, with

wide wings that mean the crews tend to sail standing upright, walking around the boat, both helmsman and crew have trapezes, which they use to gain extra leverage and speed. The rig features a fl exible mast top-section more akin to a windsurfi ng rig, which fl exes and responds to gusts, while a giant asymmetric spinnaker makes downwind sailing tactical and exhilarating.

The most exciting of the Olympic classes, the crews are lean and athletic. Racing is rapid, with the boats travelling up to 30 knots downwind. Adding to the spectacle in Sydney, the class pioneered national fl ag-designed spinnakers. A version of the 49er with a smaller rig has just been selected for a women’s skiff event for the 2016 Olympics.

49ER

Specifi cationsHull length 6.1mSail area 49.5sq mHull weight 145kgCrew 2Crew weight 145-165kgYear of design 1996Designer Julian BethwaiteFirst Olympics 2000

SKIFF CLASS

Did you know?Double 49er Olympic medallists Iker Martinez and Xavier Fernandez are also accomplished ocean sailors, competing in the two-handed Barcelona World Race and 2011-12 Volvo Ocean Race



Stevie Morrison & Ben Rhodes

World ranking: 27

Stevie MorrisonAge: 33Born 25/11/78, Eastbourne, Nickname: Morse Started sailing: Aged 11 in a Cadet in ExmouthStrength: Simplifying it

Ben RhodesAge: 31Born:10/05/81, SouthamptonNickname: RodentStarted sailing: Cadet, aged 8Strength: Strategy for shifty or tidal conditions

Injury threatened this team’s selection, with a number of younger teams snapping at their heels. They were one of the last teams to be confi rmed by the selectors.

Going into the 2008 Games, Stevie and Ben were one of the favourites, having won every major title at some point in the previous 18 months. But after leading the regatta on day one, gear failure put them off their stride, and they fi nished a disappointing ninth.

They have performed consistently well since, especially in Weymouth, although not quite as dominant as in 2007-8. Third at the Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta, they were unlucky to fi nish fourth at the Pre-Olympics. Then, at the worlds in Perth, Ben was forced to pull out due to injury. The focus was then on recovery. They returned for Palma, fi nishing seventh, and their recent fourth and top British fi nish at Hyeres was enough to earn them selection. They have the experience, are hungry, talented and in an up phase… injury aside they should bring back a medal.

THE MAIN OPPOSITIONNathan Outteridge & Iain Jensen World ranking: 1Ages: 26, 24Fifth at the 2008 Games, Outteridge has since won the 49er worlds four times and fi nished second in 2010. In 2011 the pair also won the Pre-Olympics in Weymouth. The Australians pretty much invented modern skiff racing and seem to like the waters of Weymouth. Their world ranking is well-deserved and the world champions are favourites to take gold this summer.

Peter Burling & Blair TukeWorld ranking: 7Ages: 21, 21Peter Burling was just 16 when he crewed in a 470 at the Beijing Olympics, even winning the medal race! Blair was Splash world champion in 2006. The pair joined forces in 2009. Third at the Pre-Olympics, they were second in the worlds at Perth and again in Zadar in May 2012. Young they might be, but supremely talented and in the last two years they have only recorded two results outside the top three.

Iker Martinez & Xavier FernandezWorld ranking: n/a Ages: 35, 36Even though they are busy right now racing round the world in the Volvo Ocean race, you can’t count this pair out. Gold medallists in Athens, silver medallists in Beijing and world champions in 2010, they have barely sailed the 49er in recent years, busy with ocean racing. They still won silver at the Pre-Olympics last summer and are currently leading the Volvo Ocean Race – a formidable team.


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The 470 remains the durable staple of Olympic two-person sailing both for men and women. Designed by Andre Cornu in 1963, it has gone from strength

to strength. It fi rst appeared on the Olympic stage at the Montreal Games in 1976, when it was an open two-handed class, although there were few women who competed in the event – famously Britain’s Cathy Foster won the British trials and competed at the 1984 Games, fi nishing seventh overall. In 1988 at the Seoul Games, a separate women’s class was introduced.

A one-design, but with a variety of licensed builders and sail and rig manufacturers, class rules require that glass reinforced polyester is used

for much of the hull construction. The class has seen some technical development since its introduction, but after more than two decades technical advances are negligible. As well as a mainsail and jib upwind, there is a single trapeze for the crew and a conventional, symmetrical spinnaker is fl own downwind. The boat demands a high level of technical knowledge across the wind range. The top level of the fl eet is very even in terms of speed, making it tactically demanding. The 470 is a relatively small class in the UK, but remains popular across Europe with over 40,000 boats worldwide. Helmsmen in the class tend to be small in stature, with larger crews, height being an advantage to gain maximum leverage on the trapeze.

470 MEN

Specifi cationsHull length 4.7mSail area 13.15sq mHull weight 120kgCrew 2Crew weight 110-145kgYear of design 1963Designer Andre CornuFirst Olympics 1976

DOUBLEHANDED DINGHY

Did you know?The 470 became the fi rst non-open Olympic class when a separate women’s event was introduced in 1988. 2012 sees four of the 10 classes allocated to women and 2016 will see sailing’s fi rst mixed gender class.



Luke Patience & Stuart Bithell

World ranking: 9

Luke PatienceAge: 25Born 04/08/86, Aberdeen Nickname: LP Started sailing: Aged 7 in an Optimist in Rhu MarinaStrength: Boat speed in wind

Stuart BithellAge: 25Born:28/08/86, ManchesterStarted sailing: Aged 7 in a Firefl y with his dad at Hollingworth Lake Strength: Tactics

There was quite a selection battle in the men’s 470. Ever since teaming up in late 2009, and making an immediate impact with a silver medal at the 2009 worlds, Luke and Stuart have been the most consistent podium performers. Before Perth, their highlight in 2011 was a bronze at the European championship, but they missed out on selection for the Pre-Olympics to double Olympic medallist Nick Rogers.

Then, in winning silver at the 2011 worlds in Perth, they fi rmed up their grasp on the 470 Olympic berth. That they came out and won the medal race by a considerable distance underlined

their confi dence when the pressure is on. The selectors were convinced.

The duo hasn’t had a great start to 2012, fi nishing in the teens in both Miami and in Palma. However, they won silver at the Europeans, and with the pressure of selection off them, their focus is fully on preparing for Weymouth, rather than individual regatta results. Having ‘absolutely beasted it’ in the gym over the months preceding the worlds Luke and Stuart put on a little extra muscle which they will lose for next season, Weymouth being a venue where Luke says you can afford to be a little under rather than over weight.

THE MAIN OPPOSITIONMatthew Belcher & Malcolm Page World ranking: 1 Ages: 29, 40Australia’s double world champions Mat Belcher and Malcolm Page are defi nitely favourite for gold. The products of an awesome Aussie 470 programme which has delivered Page fi ve world titles, and Olympic gold medals for Nathan Wilmot and Page in Qingdao and for Tom King and Mark Turnbull in Sydney. Great all-rounders, they are the team to beat.

Pierre Leboucher & Vincent Garos World ranking: 19 Ages: 31, 30Pierre has been competing at world level in the 470 for 10 years, but this will be his fi rst Olympics. The duo had a brilliant run in 2011 winning in Hyeres, Sail for Gold and beating the Aussies in the Pre-Olympics, although they slipped to sixth at the worlds. Vincent missed Hyeres due to injury, but the pair are back at full strength and with a new boat, if they can repeat their 2011 form they should medal in Weymouth.

Gideon Kliger & Eran SelaWorld ranking: 6 Ages: 32, 27Israel has historically been strong in the 470 class. This will be Gideon’s third Olympics, having fi nished 14th and 15th in Athens and Beijing, but with a different crew. Their recent run of form has seen them on or close to the podium, winning bronze at the Pre-Olympics, and fi nishing fourth at the worlds in Perth. They were second in Palma and fourth in Hyeres and will certainly be in the hunt.

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Hannah Mills & Saskia Clark

World ranking: 6

Hannah MillsAge: 24Born: 29/02/88, CardiffStarted sailing: On a Mirror dinghy on holiday in CornwallCareer highs: Optimist world champ 2003, 420 worlds 2006

Saskia ClarkAge: 32Born: 23/08/79, ColchesterNickname: SasStarted sailing: With her father in a Blue Peter dinghyStrength: Analysing performance and keeping it in perspectivePrevious Olympics: 2008 (6th)

in 2006. Undoubtedly talented, the experience and knowledge that Saskia was able to bring was just what was needed to lift Hannah to the next level.

The duo paired up just before the 2011 Princess Sofi a regatta in Palma, and went on to win a silver medal in Hyeres a month later. They followed this with silvers at the Sail for Gold Regatta and the Pre-Olympic test event – it was enough to convince the selectors and their berth to the Games was confi rmed. They went on to prove they were worthy of selection, winning silver at the worlds in Perth and in Miami.

At the beginning of 2012 they were ranked second in the world. A disappointing 10th at the Princess Sofi a Regatta in Palma shows they are not beyond the odd slip-up, but that only seems to have fuelled their hunger. They put in an impressive performance at the class worlds in May to win gold. While there is plenty of competition in the class, they defi nitely have the potential to deliver in Weymouth.

THE MAIN OPPOSITIONLisa Westerhof & Lobke Berkhout World ranking: 3 Ages: 31, 32Bronze medallists at the pre-Olympic regatta, airline pilot Lisa (who fi nished ninth at the 2004 Games) and her crew, Lobke (fi ve-times world champion and 2008 Olympic silver medallist) are a formidable partnership with plenty of experience. They have just won gold in Hyeres and have won the last three grade one events. The Dutch also seem very at home in the waters of Weymouth… powerful ingredients.

Ai Kondo & Wakako TabataWorld ranking: 1 Ages: 31, 28First at the Pre-Olympics last year, the Japanese have benefi tted from training closely with the men’s team and having a second Japanese women’s team in the world top 20. With their highly experienced coach, they will be a force to be reckoned with. They have had a few up and down results but this is a common theme in the women’s 470, with many top teams also counting poorer results.

Tara Pacheco & Berta BetanzosWorld ranking: 2 Ages: 23, 24Former junior 470 world champion (in 2009) Tara Pacheco seems to have mastered the transition from youth to Olympic sailing with remarkable ease. She and her crew Berta Betanzos won the 2011 Europeans and the world title in December. They might be young, and inexperience could trip them up at times, but they have shown what they are capable of. The duo has just fi nished fi fth in Hyeres.

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This is a brilliant example of the dynamics of a partnership being spot on, with a great blend of youth and experience. These two sailors were thrown together when double gold medallist Sarah Ayton announced her retirement early in 2011. Saskia Clark, the British team’s most experienced women’s 470 crew, had plenty of unfi nished business after the Beijing Olympics, where she fi nished sixth - suddenly she was without a helm. The subsequent announcement of her partnership with the young, highly talented Hannah Mills seemed a logical move.

Hannah fi rst made her name at the age of 15 in the Optimist class, where girls and boys compete on equal terms. Hannah proved herself to be among the very best in the world. In 2002 she became the fi rst girl to win the UK Optimist nationals, then, as well as winning the girl’s title at the 2003 Optimist worlds she posted what was then the UK’s best ever result in the event. From there she moved to the 420 where she found more success, winning the worlds

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The Star is the oldest Olympic class and 2012 is its swansong as it is due to be dropped for 2016. Designed by William Gardner and Francis Sweisguth back in

1911 this 100-year-old boat delivers some of the most testing sailing in the Games, attracting as it does many of the sport’s top brains. The Star made its fi rst appearance at the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles and has raced at every Olympics since with the exception of the 1976 Games where the Tempest was a temporary replacement.

The Star is essentially a North American lakes-type scow, originally of fl at-panelled wood construction. The combination of a large, overpowered rig, a big mainsail and small jib makes

it physically and mentally demanding to sail. There’s no spinnaker, but the jib is boomed out with a whisker pole downwind. The crews use a harness to help hang themselves in a low hiking stance off the windward side of the boat with only their lower legs inside and tend to be large in stature.

Although multiple builders and equipment suppliers are allowed, as with other long-standing Olympic classes, technical developments in terms of attaining a real speed edge are largely history and the fl eet speed at Olympic level is very even. The Star has really become the elite class of Olympic sailing that many already successful Olympic sailors graduate to and stick with, seeking world titles and further Olympic glory.

STAR

Hull length 6.9mSail area 26.5sq mHull weight 671kgCrew 2Crew weight 181-227kgYear of design 1911Designer Gardner/

SweisguthFirst Olympics 1932

MEN’S KEELBOAT

Did you know?Paul Elvstrøm won two Star world championships as did America’s famous America’s Cup skipper Dennis Conner



Iain Percy & Andrew Simpson

World ranking: 22

Iain PercyAge: 36Born: 21/03/76, SouthamptonNickname: PerceStarted sailing: In a Skipper 14 on the Norfolk Broads Previous Olympics: 2000, 04, 08Career highs: Two golds

Andrew SimpsonAge: 35Born 17/12/76, ChertseyStarted sailing: Aged six with his dad in a Seafl yPrevious Olympics: 2008Career highs: Gold in 2008

Both Iain Percy and Andrew ‘Bart’ Simpson have been top Finn sailors. Iain started out in the Laser class, winning the 1983 youth worlds and becoming Ben Ainslie’s training partner. He moved to the Finn where he won the worlds in 1999, a prelude to a confi dent and composed Olympic gold medal win in 2000. Switching to the Star, he teamed up with Steve Mitchell and the duo won the worlds in 2002, but fi nished a disappointing sixth at the 2004 Olympics, which Iain describes as the worst moment in his career. Bart, Olympic training partner for Iain in 2000 and Ben Ainslie in 2004, had

fi nished third in the 2003 Finn worlds, but his path to the Olympics had always been blocked. Joining up with Iain brought Bart’s light airs tactical abilities to the team. They went into the Beijing Games as medal contenders and came away with a stunning victory. It was the fi rst British gold in the class since that of Mike McIntyre and Bryn Vaile 20 years earlier, in 1988, and they cemented their status at the top of the class with a worlds win in 2010. 2011 was a good year, and their results included silver at the pre-Olympics, although injury forced them to pull out of the worlds. They started 2012 in fi ne form with a win in Hyeres and second at the 2012 worlds.

The Star, more than any class is almost impossible to call, but these two know how to dig deep and pull it out of the bag when it counts, and they are on home territory…

THE MAIN OPPOSITIONRobert Scheidt & Bruno PradaWorld ranking: 7 Ages: 39, 40The Brazilians have always been a force to be reckoned with in the Star. The talented Laser sailor Robert Scheidt switched to the class after 2004. In 2007 the duo won both the worlds and the Pre-Olympics and won silver in Beijing. They had a stunning 2011 winning more than any other team, including golds at the Pre-Olympics and the worlds, also winning the recent 2012 worlds and have to be gold medal favourites.

Fredrik Loof & Max SalminenWorld ranking: 2 Ages: 42, 23Freddy Loof is another former Finn sailor, having fi nished fi fth in the class in the 1992 and the 1996 Games, before claiming a bronze in Sydney in 2000. In 2001 he stormed into the Star class winning the worlds, a feat he repeated in 2004, although he only managed a 12th at the Olympics. He was back in 2008 to win bronze in Beijing. A hugely experienced sailor, with a young, fi t crew, he will have his eyes fi rmly on gold.

Peter O’Leary & David BurrowsWorld ranking: 8 Ages: 29, 35Perhaps an outsider, but Peter O’Leary is a hugely talented sailor, and the experience of going to the 2008 Games with his former crew Stephen Milne will have stood him in good stead, the pair fi nished in 13th place. Now teamed up with David Burrows, 2011 saw a fourth at the Pre-Olympics and fourth at the Europeans. Although they only managed 12th at the 2011 worlds, they have just posted a fourth at the 2012 worlds.


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Andrew Simpson (L) Iain Percy (R)



The Elliott 6m will make its Olympic debut at Weymouth in the women’s match racing class. Designed by New Zealand’s Greg Elliott, the Olympic boat is a modifi ed

version of the Elliott previously used at World match racing events. The rig and sail area have been reduced from the original design to allow sailing in a greater wind range with a maximum crew weight of 205kg. The fi xed keel has also been changed to allow for lifting or removal. The boats fl y conventional spinnakers on a pole downwind.

The match racing format is different from the other sailing events, and has appeared at the Games before but only as a past men’s event. Rather than fl eet

racing, the boats sail one-on-one, fi rst through a series of round-robins, and then it’s into a knockout type event where the winning team in a series of fi ve ‘matches’ goes through each time. It requires particular tactical skill, as speed is only part of a successful race, there are plenty of opportunities for a more tactically skilled sailor to force an error.

Watching the event you will notice that there is a period before the start when the boats are ‘duelling’ for position. 2012 might be the debut of women’s match racing, but its Olympic appearance looks like it will be brief as it isn’t scheduled to appear again in 2016. Keelboat sailing is generally more expensive, which is much of the reason behind its removal for 2016.

ELLIOT 6M

Specifi cationsHull length 6mSail area 23.6sq mSpinnaker 28sq mHull weight 695kgCrew 3Crew weight 205kgYear of design 2000/2008Designer Greg Elliott

WOMEN’S MATCH RACING

Did you know?The women’s match racing event replaced the women’s fl eet racing keelboat, the Yngling, after 2008. The Yngling class lasted for two Games, but the Elliott will appear for just one cycle.



Lucy Macgregor, Kate Macgregor & Annie Lush

World ranking: 2

Lucy MacgregorAge: 25Born: 28/11/86, PooleStarted sailing: As a baby cruising with parents, learnt aged 7 in Optimists & Mirrors

Kate MacgregorAge: 21Born: 12/01/91, PooleNickname: Mini MacStarted sailing: In an Optimist

Annie LushAge: 32Born: 11/04/80, PooleStarted sailing: With her dad on a Trapper, aged 7 on her own

Lucy, Kate and Annie all hail from sailing families and grew up in Poole. As well as progressing through the dinghy classes in the UK, they are all from bigger boat racing families - the Macgregor sisters in particular spent plenty of time yacht racing with their father. Lucy started off crewing for older sister Nicky in a 420, fi nished second at the worlds in 2004, which put her into the RYA’s

Olympic Development Squad. From 470s, Lucy moved into the Yngling, and then showed her match racing prowess winning the Delta-Lloyd regatta in 2009. In 2010 Kate joined the team, and having sailed with a few crew confi gurations, settled for the dynamic combination of her younger sister and the experienced Annie Lush. Together they won the 2010 worlds and showed their potential. Annie has been competing on the women’s international keelboat circuit for nine years and sailed in three different keelboat campaigns. Annie and Lucy crewed for Shirley Robertson in her 2008 campaign, missing out on the Olympic berth in 2008 to Sarah Ayton.

Seventh at the Pre-Olympics was a disappointment for the trio, but they were undoubtedly the top British and their selection was confi rmed early on. They have continued to show themselves very capable of medalling ever since, claiming silver at the 2011 worlds in Perth and winning in Miami at the start of 2012.

THE MAIN OPPOSITIONAnna Tunnicliffe, Deborah Capozzi & Molly VandemoerWorld ranking: 1 Ages: 29, 31, 33After missing out on selection for the 2004 Games, Anna won the gold medal in the Laser Radial class in 2008 before switching to match racing. Gold medal winners at the worlds in Perth, the team still had to undergo rigorous selection trials in April against close rival Sally Barkow. The USA has always been strong at Match Racing, defi nite gold medal favourites.

Claire Leroy, Marie Riou & Elodie BertrandWorld ranking: 3 Ages: 32, tbc, 31From a family of sailors in northern Brittany that goes back generations, Claire has been competing on the ISAF graded match racing circuit for some 10 years, reaching the top of the rankings back in 2005 when she dominated the discipline aged just 20. She won the worlds in 2007 and 2008, was fourth in 2009 and 2010, bringing back bronze from Perth in 2011.

Ekaterina Skudina, Elena Oblova& Elena SyuzevaWorld ranking: 4 Ages: 31, tbc, 25Ekaterina started sailing in Optimists and won the women’s title at the 1998 Snipe worlds. From 470s she went into the Yngling (women’s keelboat), fi nishing eighth in Athens and sixth in Beijing before switching to match racing. The team (whose website looks more like a fashion site!) won silver in the Pre-Olympics, were fourth in Perth and most recently won bronze at Hyeres.


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Windsurfi ng was introduced as an Olympic sport for the 1984 Games in Los Angeles, with the addition of a

women’s event for the 1992 Games in Barcelona. With the sport being relatively young at its introduction, the choice of board has generally been controversial, never more so when a recent meeting of the International Sailing Federation saw kitesurfi ng – a totally different discipline – chosen as the ‘board sailing’ event for the 2016 Games. Weymouth then looks likely to be windsurfi ng’s Olympic swansong.

Despite being very physically challenging, many top windsurfers have long careers in the sport, attending

multiple Games (four or even fi ve Games is not uncommon – that’s 20 years of competition!). The RS:X was adopted for the 2008 Games – a specifi cally developed hybrid board, somewhere between the long thin racing windsurfers of yesteryear and the short wide racing boards in use today, designed to race in anything from 3-30 knots. A high technology rig features a carbon mast and boom, with the same board being used for the men’s and the women’s discipline, the difference being in the size of the sail. In lighter airs you will notice the technique for sailing these boards is very distinctive, with the sailors actively ‘pumping’ the sail in order to gain forwards momentum – something which is illegal in the other sailing disciplines.

RS:X MEN

Specifi cationsHull length 2.86mSail area 9.5/8.5sq mHull weight 15.5kgCrew 1Crew weight 55-80kgYear of design 2004Designer Jean Bouldoires

& Robert StrojFirst Olympics 2008

BOARD SAILING

Did you know?Windsurfi ng is due to be replaced by kitesurfi ng for the 2016 Olympic Games both for men and women



family on hand. He has the strength and determination to dig deep both mentally and physically when needed – as fully demonstrated in Athens when equipment failure gave him the worst start in the fi rst race, and he went on to win the fi nal race to win bronze by just one point.

In 2011 Nick was consistently in the top three for most of the year and took silver at the Pre-Olympic test event, although he was a disappointing 13th at the 2011 worlds in Perth in December. 2012 has been a great year so far with a win in Miami and second at the worlds in Cadiz in March. We think he will get a medal, the question is what colour?

THE MAIN OPPOSITIONPrzemek Miarczynski World ranking: 2 Age: 32Poland is a dominant force in windsurfi ng, illustrated by the fact that the world’s number one ranked sailor in the class, Piotr Myszka, lost out on selection to Przemek ‘Pont’ Miarczynski. Third at the pre-Olympics, Pont was fourth at the 2011 worlds, winning the Europeans earlier this year and most recently second in Hyeres. This is his fourth Games, his best result a fi fth in Athens, but a competitive selection process can only have helped him.

Julien BontempsWorld ranking: 3 Age: 33The Beijing silver medallist has had a brilliant 2012 so far, following his selection for the French team in January. After a fi fth at the Europeans, he has dominated since, winning the RS:X world title in Cadiz in March and most recently taking gold in Hyeres – always there or thereabouts, it seems he is peaking at just the right time. This will be his third Games so he has plenty of experience and will certainly be in the hunt.

Dorian Van RijsselbergeWorld ranking: 11 Age: 24The gold medal winner at the pre-Olympic regatta in Weymouth last summer, Dorian followed that victory with an impressive win at the 2011 worlds in Perth in December, although he was fourth at the 2012 worlds in Cadiz this March. A relative youngster in the windsurfi ng fl eet he will be hungry to show that youth has something to say for itself and has shown himself at home on the waters of Weymouth.


World ranking: 16Age: 31Born: 13/08/80, NorwichNickname: DempoStarted sailing: Aged seven on a Mistral at Ferry Meadows, near PeterboroughPrevious Olympics: 2000, 2004, 2008Career highs: Olympic bronze in 2004, 2009 world championSporting heroes: Roger FedererOther interests: Golf, cycling, surfi ng

This is Nick Dempsey’s fourth Olympic Games and his sights are fully set on gold – his wife Sarah (nee Ayton) has two! At his fi rst Games in 2000, aged just 19 he was 16th, and after battling hard he won a thoroughly-deserved bronze medal in Athens in 2004. He was, however, bitterly disappointed to fi nish a painful fourth at the last Olympic Games in Beijing. He bounced back to show the world what he was capable of, winning the RS:X worlds in 2009. Light winds have never been his particular strength, which always made Beijing less of a certainly for him, but in Weymouth he will be on home turf with his

Nick Dempsey

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Contact us for more information

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Bryony Shaw

World ranking: 7Age: 29Born: 28/04/83, WandsworthNickname: Britney, BrownieStarted sailing: Aged nine on holiday in southern FranceStrength: A good all rounder, best when sailing in a mix of

THE MAIN OPPOSITIONLee KorzitsWorld ranking: 8 Age: 28Three years ago no one would have predicted that Lee would win two back-to back world titles. She won her fi rst world title at the age of 19, but after a 13th at the 2004 Olympics, she failed to qualify in 2008. Then in 2009 she was severely injured after being hit by another surfer – doctors doubted she would ever sail professionally again. But in 2011 she won silver medal at the Europeans, and back to back golds at the 2011 and 2012 worlds.

Zofi a KlepackaWorld ranking: 1 Age: 26Like Israel, Poland doesn’t just have strength and depth in the men’s windsurfi ng, but also in the women’s. This will be Zofi a’s third Games, having fi nished 12th in Athens aged just 18. Despite winning the 2007 worlds, she could only manage fi fth at the 2008 Games, but has shown such consistent form recently that she has to be a medal favourite. Second at the 2011 words in Perth was followed by another second at the 2012 worlds in Cadiz.

Alessandra SensiniWorld ranking: 19 Age: 42In 2008 Alessandra Sensini became the fi rst female sailor to win four Olympic medals and she recently fi nished second at the RS:X worlds to show she will still be a force to be reckoned with. She has an amazing record, as well as her four Olympic medals (one gold, two bronze and one silver) she has won three gold, two silver and a bronze world championship medal, and three gold, two silver and two bronze European medals. A true legend.

wind conditionsWeakness: Upwind in steep chopPrevious Olympics: 2008Career highs: Bronze in 2008Sporting heroes: Kelly SlaterOther interests: Golf, surfi ng, snowboarding

Bryony was bitterly disappointed when she missed out on selection for the 2004 Olympics, and had to wait a further four years for her debut. In Beijing she was delighted to win bronze, having trimmed down for the light wind venue. It was Britain’s fi rst women’s windsurfi ng medal, and she will be looking to add to that with

MEDAL TIP 2012BRONZE

an even better result in Weymouth. In recent times, she has consistently posted podium fi nishes, including fi nishing with a bronze medal at the pre-Olympic test event last July. Her world ranking reached an all time high when she hit number one in January of this year, but the world championship itself continues to elude her. Seventh at the worlds in Perth at the end of 2011, she fi nished just outside the medals at the 2012 worlds in Cadiz – a taste of the bitter ‘leather medal’ (fourth place) not a bad way to feed her hunger ahead of Weymouth. Her sailing is ideally suited to Weymouth, where the conditions are likely to be varied.

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Sailing offers an incredibly wide variety of experiences – for some it’s a sociable and relaxing experience in which a highlight would be a sunny evening cruise in light

winds to a favourite place for dinner. For others it’s a high adrenaline, high action sport fuelled by the buzz of skimming across the waves on a windsurfer, or flying across the water in a small dinghy.

Alternatively sailing offers the chance to explore some of the world’s most interesting places – and cultures – or the opportunity to prove your skills by beating everyone else in a race, with winning a place at the Olympics the ultimate goal.

One of the sport’s real strengths is it caters for a real diverse range of abilities and ages. It truly is a sport that whole families can enjoy together.

It’s easy to get afloatGetting out on the water is much

easier than many people imagine and is becoming increasingly accessible. There area some 2,500 RYA recognised training centres throughout the world, as well as around 1,500 RYA affiliated sailing clubs with all the facilities you need to continue your sailing. This is as true whether you want to start sailing in a highly responsive dinghy, or learn the basics of crewing, and then skippering, a larger yacht.

It’s a surprise to many non-sailors that most people live no more than an hour away from a sailing venue, and most have access to a range of options. Even if you live hours from the coast, you are likely to find a number of lakes, reservoirs or rivers with numerous opportunities for sailing nearby.

Your local RYA Training Centre is the obvious starting point – this could be a commercial activity centre or a local sailing club. It is one of the best ways to get involved in the sport, with structured training in a safe and supportive environment that’s proven to

rapidly build both skills and confidence. The next step for many is joining

a sailing club. These are sociable organisations that depend on a flow of new members for growth and survival. All successful clubs are geared up to welcome potential newcomers and will be delighted to invite you to take a look around and chat with a few members about how you can get involved.

Many clubs and centres organise ‘have a go’ days to encourage new members – these are perfect for experiencing your first taste of sailing or windsurfing.

GettinG startedInspired by our Olympic sailors to try the sport yourself? There’s never been a better time for the whole family to get involved…

10 reasons to go sailing • Freedom• Adventure• Friendships• Challenges• Relaxation• Close to the elements• Fitness• Fun • Exciting• Get away from it all• Learn new skills

1651 Olympic Beginner.indd 32 22/05/2012 17:47


Clubs offer a range of fantastic facilities and many have a variety of dinghies and windsurfers available to rent, effectively at cost price. This means you can practise as much as you like and join in with club racing without needing to buy a boat.

Do I need training?It’s always a good idea to get some training so you can really get the most out of your boating and be safe when out on the water.

RYA qualifications are known and respected the world over, with around 165,000 people taking a course every year. The structured training programme, taught by qualified and highly-trained RYA instructors, covers every facet of the sport, ensuring everyone acquires the skills and the knowledge to sail safely and competently in their chosen discipline.

The RYA’s National and Youth Sailing Schemes offer a series of two-day courses, starting at Level 1 and progressing to Level 3 for anyone wanting to learn in dinghies, small keelboats or multihulls. Designed for beginners, these courses start by teaching basic skills to get you sailing

independently in light winds and taking you right through to become confident sailing in stronger conditions.

When you’re ready to continue your training, the RYA’s advanced and improver courses are the next step. There are courses that suit all sailing interests, including Performance Sailing, Day

Sailing and Seamanship Skills. To learn to windsurf, take a course

with the RYA National Windsurfing Scheme. This begins with Start Windsurfing, progressing through to intermediate and advanced levels. With the right instruction, the right equipment and regular time on the water, you will be surprised at just how quickly you can progress.

Sailing a yachtIf you fancy learning to sail on a larger yacht, the RYA’s Start Sailing

and Competent Crew courses are the perfect way to learn the basic principles of sail cruising while meeting like-minded people and exploring new locations. After a five-day or three-weekend Competent Crew course, and a similar length of shorebased training, you’re able to start training to be a

yacht skipper, via the five-day or three-weekend RYA Day Skipper course.

What gear do I need?All the essential kit and safety equipment will be provided by the training centre while you are learning and they will then help you choose the equipment you need to continue sailing afterwards.

Marine quality waterproofs are of vital importance, although depending on what kind of boat you are in and the time of year, a wetsuit may be advisable for dinghies – with some boats you

All successful clubs are geared up to welcome potential newcomers



Start sailing

BEAM Width of the boat BEAT To sail upwind on a zigzag course BLACK FLAG When hoisted, this disqualifi es boats crossing

the startline earlyBOOM Horizontal spar attached to the bottom of

the mainsail BOW The front of the boat CLOSE-HAULED To sail upwind with the sails fully pulled in DIRTY AIR Wind that is disturbed, usually by other boatsDNF An abbreviation used when a boat did not

fi nish a race DOWNWIND To sail away from the wind DSQ In results shows a boat was disqualifi ed from

a race FOILS The rudder and centreboard/ keel GENNAKER An asymmetric spinnaker GYBE To change direction by turning the stern of the

boat through the wind HEAD TO WIND When the bow of the boat points into the wind HEAD UP To sail closer to the wind HEEL The way a boat tips to one side as it sails HELMSMAN/HELM The person who steers the boat HIKE To use crew weight to keep the boat fl at by

leaning out HULL The body of the boat JIB The smaller sail at the front of the boat KITE A spinnaker KNOT Speed measurement referring to nautical miles

per hourLEE/ LEEWARD Side of a boat furthest away from the wind;

the sheltered sideMAINSAIL/MAIN The principal sail on a boat MAINSHEET The rope that adjusts the main OCS On course side; used when a boat is over the

starting line PORT The left side of the boat when facing forward REACH Sailing across the wind RUDDER A fl at structure attached to the back of the

boat used to help steer SHEET Rope used to pull the sails in or out SPINNAKER A large sail used when sailing downwind STARBOARD RightTACK To turn the bow of the boat through the wind TILLER The handle used to move the rudder TOE STRAPS Straps in the boat that crew can use to secure

their feet TRAPEZE A wire crews hook onto and enables them to

hang from the boat’s sideUPWIND Sailing towards/into the wind WINDWARD The side of the boat closest to the wind

BASIC LINGO expect to be on the water, but with others the thrills and spills mean that time spent in the water is an integral part of the excitement of the sport. If you don’t own the necessary gear, many clubs and training centres will be able to lend you some for a small fee.

What about buying a boat?It’s really not necessary to own a boat. This usually comes as a surprise to many newcomers to sailing, but huge numbers of active and competent sailors are able to completely avoid the expense and responsibility associated with ownership.

This might sound too good to be true but, with the exception of a handful of singlehanded classes, everyone that owns a boat is dependent on having crew to help sail their craft. While some have plenty of willing volunteers among friends and family, for many it’s a constant struggle to fi nd enough people to sail as often as they would like.

Of course, many keen sailors eventually fi nd they do want to own their own vessel. In many ways buying a boat is like buying a car – it’s possible to spend a huge amount of money on the latest and most luxurious model. But the reality is that most boat owners sail much

more modest craft. Secondhand dinghies that offer

exciting and instructive racing at local clubs cost only a few hundred pounds, while older small cruising yachts with recently updated equipment (think of it like a recently modernised house) can be found for under £10,000.

It really is that simple!There is always something new to learn, so just one warning: you are likely to get hooked. Sailing is a fabulous sport you can enjoy throughout your life. To fi nd out more about RYA courses, details of the right course for you and where to do it visit www.rya.org.uk/training



As an RYA member you play an active role in protecting your boating’s freedoms by directly supporting the lobbying activity we do to: maintain and promote safe and responsible recreational boating; infl uence national legislation that may impact on any aspect of

recreational boating or navigational safety; resist proposed legislation that may adversely affect any aspect of recreational boating and navigational safety, or that we believe to be disproportionate, ineffective or unenforceable

You get access to a vast wealth of expert advice and guidance on a whole range of topics from boating abroad and the latest legal issues to tips on buying your boat or where to take an RYA training course.

Members also enjoy a whole host of special member benefi ts, discounts and offers on a range of events, products, and services including; boat shows, chandlers, cars, holidays, kit, books, travel, clothing, magazines, insurance, days out, fast track certifi cation, advice, charts and guides…and much more.

We keep you up to date with all the latest news through the RYA magazine and monthly newsletters and you’ll be the fi rst to know about special events arranged exclusively for RYA members.

We offer a range of membership types to best suit your needs: Personal, Family, Under 25, Youth, Junior, Instructor, Gold or Life. And if you stay with us for fi ve years you’ll become an RYA Gold member entitling you to enjoy additional benefi ts and access to special Gold member events.

Getting you out on the water is what the RYA is all about. Each year we organise all kind of events like cruises and competitions, talks and shows where you can meet up with friends, members and RYA staff to share your experiences.

We also set and maintain a recognised standard for recreational boat training through a network of over 2,500 RYA Recognised Training Centres in some 45 countries, giving you plenty of opportunities to develop your skills and get the training you need to get the most out of your boating.

Join us today! Joining the RYA or renewing your membership is inexpensive and simple to do – by phone, online or by post.

The RYAHelping you to get the most out of your boating

To fi nd out more see www.rya.org.uk

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