London 2012 Paralympic Games – Lord Coe visits Weymouth and Portland

by Matt Carter on 5 Sep 2012 London 2012 Paralympic Games - Britain’s sailors had team had a boost today,Tuesday 4th September, when Lord Coe visited Weymouth and Portland.

The Chairman of LOCOG visited the Sports Arena on Weymouth and saw RYA Sailability’s Try Sailing for Free sessions, running throughout the Paralympics giving disabled and able-bodied people the chance to get a taste for the sport on Weymouth Beach.

Lord Coe then offered his best wishes for the rest of the regatta and said the British team’s performances on the water were attracting attention around the world.

The RYA has worked to give as many people opportunities to sail throughout both the Olympic and Paralympic Games, with 150 people a day getting out on the water for free in Weymouth during the Olympics last month.

Lord Coe said: 'When we were bidding to stage the Olympic and Paralympic Games seven years ago in Singapore we just knew that this was our opportunity, that it was never going to come around again, not just to deliver great sport but also to try to get more young people involved actively in sport both Olympic and Paralympic.

'To see what has consistently taken place within the sailing community in Weymouth and Portland has blown me away. It’s been creative, more young people are now sailing, both able-bodied and those with disability.

'To the British team sailors I say good luck and thank you! Good luck, which is what everybody needs, and thank you for really attracting such extraordinary audiences and raising the profile of Paralympic sport around the world.

'This is not just about being viewed in the UK, more countries than ever before are taking part, more competitors are taking part, many of those countries for the first time, and of course, this is an opportunity to showcase Paralympic sport in the 100 or more countries that are now involved in the coverage.'

It has been a tricky day so far in Portland Harbour with a swinging breeze forcing race abandonments and course re-sets in each of the three classes.

Racing is currently underway. Britain’s Helena Lucas has consolidated her lead at the top 2.4mR fleet after picking up another race win in race seven – her fourth victory of the regatta so far. Races can be started up to 6pm tonight with another race (race eight overall) scheduled for each class today.