Competitors ready to 'Push the Boat Out' at Sailability Multiclass Regatta 

Rutland stages 2012 Sailability Multiclass regatta

This weekend (20-22 July) Rutland Sailing Club will be hosting the annual RYA Sailability Multiclass Regatta which will see disabled sailors from across the country and abroad take to the water in a range of different boats for a festival of competition.  

Sailability is the RYA’s official charity which aims to encourage disabled adults and children to take up sailing and integrates them into the sailing community.  

For racers, the weekend will kick start with a day of race training led by RYA Coaches including practice starts, races, mark rounding, on the water coaching and a BBQ in the evening.  

Competitors can enjoy two full days of racing, competing for the Multiclass Regatta trophies followed by an evening Olympic themed Regatta dinner on Saturday, and racing for the Ken Ellis Trophy on Sunday.

The weekend will round off with the prize giving presentations for the weekend’s best performers. Competitors will also be showing their support for The British Sailing Team as Saturday is RYA Push the Boat Out day.

The RYA will be encouraging boaters across the country to take to the water to showcase sailing to the nation and show their support for our Olympic and Paralympic sailors prior to the London 2012 Games.   

Debbie Blachford, RYA Sailability Manager says: “Since the beginning the multi class regatta has been hugely successful and Rutland is the perfect venue to host the event. It is a fantastic opportunity for sailors to improve their racing skills, make new friends and perhaps take the sport to the next level.

“This year will be very special with the London 2012 Games starting in just one week’s time. Many of the competitors will be hugely inspired, particularly by our ParalympicGB sailors so we will definitely be waving our Union Jacks and sending our good luck wishes to the Team on Push the Boat Out Day!”

Push the Boat Out Day is part of Sail for Gold, the nationwide London 2012 initiative from the RYA which aims to celebrate Britain’s unmatched Olympic sailing heritage and inspire more people to get out on the water more often in this Olympic year.

For more information about Sail for Gold, Push the Boat Out and details on how you can get involved visit www.rya.org.uk/sailforgold For more information about RYA Sailability visit www.rya.org.uk/sailability