RYA Dinghy Show - Top British Sailing Team talents share tips

by Lindsey Bell on 25 Feb 2014 Do you have a burning sailing question? Want to know how to get started in the sport, or simply want to better your skills before the racing season? You can ask the experts at this weekend’s RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show where seven top British Sailing Team talents will be on hand to share their top tips and tricks at the Alexandra Palace (1-2 March).

On Saturday (1 March) 49er European Champion Dylan Fletcher and Paralympic bronze medallist and five-time SKUD World Champion Alexandra Rickham will officially open the show, now in its 63rd year, with Fletcher’s fellow 49er sailors Dave Evans and Ed Powys, 2.4mR sailor Megan Pascoe and Laser Radial sailor Chloe Martin also calling in to offer their professional advice.

Rickham, Martin and Fletcher will be visiting the joint RYA Youth Programme and Volvo Car UK stand (stand C8 in the Grand Hall) at 1130, 1230 and 1430hrs respectively where you can pick their brains, and that of the RYA staff and representatives, on getting the best out of your racing at whatever level, while you can also put your virtual racing skills to the test with the RYA Volvo Sail for Gold Game.

The player to post the fastest time each day will be crowned ‘Sail for Gold Game Champion’ for that day and win exclusive Zhik kit, courtesy of the British Sailing Team’s clothing provider, and the use of a Volvo for a weekend* thanks to the Team’s official car partner. Volvo Car UK will also be displaying vehicles from the latest product range, including the V40 cross country, a sporty all-wheel drive premium hatchback. Volvo experts will be on hand to highlight the features of the cars and share details on how RYA members can benefit from the best savings to date with the 2014 RYA Volvo Affinity scheme.

Elsewhere, Rickham and Megan Pascoe will be calling in at the RYA Sailability stand at 1330 to share their experiences of elite disability sailing and routes into the sport, while Dave Evans and Ed Powys will be on hand to offer trapezing tips on the Magic Marine Trapeze Rig at 1030.

For the racing sailor looking to improve their skills, Dylan Fletcher will be ably assisting Dave Hivey with a talk on Skiff Tactics in the Coaching Area (1030 on both Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 March), Ed Powys will be helping RYA expert Chris Watts with his session on Racing Rules (1300), while Megan Pascoe will talk Tactics with Alan Williams (1400 on both Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 March).

Dave Evans will aid Chris Atherton with his ‘Starting to Race’ session at 1500 Chloe Martin will be on hand to help Dave Mellor with his talk on ‘Posture and hiking’ tips for the hiking sailor at 1600.

On Sunday 2 March, Nacra 17 World Championship silver medallist Hannah Diamond will join Dylan Fletcher and Megan Pascoe at the RYA’s annual season-opening Dinghy Show, supported by Suzuki Marine. Diamond will give a talk for RYA Gold Members (invitation only) on her campaign for Rio 2016 in the new Nacra 17 mixed multihull event, as well showing off her skills on the Magic Marine Trapeze Rig, and on the virtual race track with the RYA Volvo Sail for Gold Game on the RYA Youth Programme and Volvo Car UK stand from 1400.

She’ll also assist Chris Watt with his Racing Rules talk in the Coaching Area from 1300.

Over the weekend the sailors also be calling in on British Sailing Team rope supplier Marlow to show off their splicing skills, and team sponsor Garmin as well as lending a hand with various competitions launches, prize givings and lots more so feel free to say hello if you see them!

For ticket details, club discounts and further information visit the RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show website.

*Subject to Volvo Car UK’s Win a Car Competition Terms and British Sailing Team website