Weston Sailing Club celebrates 60th anniversary at the Dinghy Show

Started by a team of devoted dinghy racers that identified the shores of Southampton Water as an ideal place to sail, Weston Sailing Club celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2012.

Since its inception in 1952 Weston SC has gone from strength to strength building a highly revered reputation as a club that builds champions. Sailing stars produced from the Weston fold include Olympic, World, European and National titles winners and continue to do so until this day.

In its anniversary year Weston still remains very much at the pinnacle of quality dinghy racing. Its racing program is full and varied, and as well as boasting club racing throughout all 12 months of the year, it also hosts a large amount of open meetings and National championships.

Known for hosting some of the “Must attend” events in the calendar, 2012’s open program commences with the ever popular Grand Slam (6th April). The four day event which in its peak witnesses attendance figures of 150 boats is this year sponsored by hardware manufacturers Ronstan, who have graciously agreed to supply backing and prizes. The traditional event format will apply with two races per day for four classes (slow handicap, fast handicap, asymmetric & multihull), and a mixture of starts from both the shore and committee boat. A full social program is scheduled consisting of the traditional Grand Slam Hog Roast on the Saturday evening and includes a pub quiz and music night.

Further events for 2012 also include the increasingly popular asymmetric open. The event that has only been running for a short period of time, has built on its attendance figures annually, and with this year’s event already targeted by several classes including the 49’ers, early indications suggest that this year will not be one to miss.

Weston’s long distance event, The Solent Slog is perhaps the South Coast’s largest. Traditionally a multihull event, the club has trialled opening entry to monohulls previously and will do so again this year. The event provides a considerably shorter tune up race on the Saturday, followed by legendry partying in the evening. “The Slog” has this year attracted the continued sponsorship from rope manufacturers Kingfisher, who will be supporting the event and providing prizes to the varying classes.

The Cat open sponsored by Nacra UK is the last mixed multihull open of the year. Previous attendees of the event will no doubt speak of its well managed racing and Piggott partying that fills the gaps in between. Having trialled various formats in recent years, Weston has now settled on fast and slow fleets, with separate starts and prizes for both.

Further events at Weston this year see numerous class opens including Lasers, Lightnings, Contenders & Bytes to name a few. It is fitting however that a club with such a history in dinghy racing celebrates its 60th anniversary in the same year as the London Olympic games, and will host two National championships for Olympic classes both old and new. The current Olympic 49’er class will hold a four day Nationals event at Weston in September, and the former Olympic multihull, the Tornado holds a three day Nationals event in November.

Visitors to this weekend’s RYA Dinghy show at Alexandra Palace (London) will be able to speak to club members about all things Weston and view the 2012 program in full. They will also be able to will be able to receive discounted entry fees to selected opens, only available via entry on the stand.

Visit Weston SC on stand G40, West Hall.

For further information on Weston events or membership contact

www.weston.org.uk