Not forgetting the arrival of the Olympic Torch during its 70 day journey around the UK with 8,000 torchbearers. The involvement in the Olympics allowed the Authority to advance improvements within Weymouth Harbour; renovation and installation of shower facilities, new pontoons and quayside facilities to name a few. During 2012 Great Britain’s Sir Ben Ainslie became the most decorated Olympic sailor in history with his fourth successive victory. Weymouth Bay offers some of the best sailing waters The Races: Ranging from Keelboats and dinghies to in northern Europe, a statement that was put to the windsurfing boards, boats competed in ten fleet races (15 for test when Weymouth & Portland were chosen to the 49er) with each regatta lasting a series of days. host the London 2012 Sailing and Paralympic Sailing events. Points for each of the races are given according to their finishing position. Each sailor is allowed to discard their worst Between July and September 2012, Weymouth result to deduct from their final total. The top ten boats then was transformed with Olympic banners whilst boat carry through to the medal race. owners adorned their vessels with Olympic bunting. There were street displays, a live site on Weymouth Medals won by Team GB: beach showing coverage of the sailing and other • Ben Ainslie - Gold Medal in the Finn Class Olympic events as well as cultural activities that took place throughout the borough. The Boat Project • Andrew Simpson and Iain Percy - Silver Medal in Star Class – beautifully crafted from more than a thousand • Nick Dempsey - Silver Medal in the Men’s RS:X Windsurfing pieces of wood donated by members of the public, The Battle of the Winds – a unique theatrical event • Saskia Clark and Hannah Mills - Silver Medals in Women’s on Weymouth Beach and Inside Out Dorset – aerial 470 Dinghy Class theatre displays. • Luke Patience and Stuart Bithell - Silver Medals in Men’s 470 Dinghy Class • Helena Lucas – Gold Medal Mixed Single Person 2.4mr Since the 2012 games, Weymouth has seen more • Niki Birrel and Alexandra Rickham – Bronze Medals young people getting active and joining sports Mixed Two Person SKUD18 clubs in the area. WEYMOUTH 2012 WEYMOUTH 2012 And with organisations such as ‘The Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation’ and ‘Weymouth & Portland Sailing Academy’, the opportunities to try sailing at any age are now more accessible – who knows, the next Olympic sailing stars could be living and sailing right here in Weymouth Harbour..