London Boat Show - Former WPNSA Directors honoured

by Kate Holmes on 13 Jan 2012 At the 2012 Tullett Prebon London Boat Show, currently being held at the ExCeL London, two former Directors of the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy were honoured for their contributions during the crucial period of the development of the Academy.

Olympic Silver medalist Keith Musto and Natalie Jobling were both honoured and commended for their distinguished contribution to the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA). Each served as a director at the sailing academy for periods of nine years.

Keith Musto’s life in the sailing world began when he was just 15 years old and led him to become a world class sailor. In 1964 Keith won both the Flying Dutchman nationals and Europeans; and later that year he went on to compete at the Tokyo Olympics, winning a silver medal in the Flying Dutchman Class. He was also reserve in the Flying Dutchman class for the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich. As well as Olympics, Keith won medals at the 1963 and 1969 World Championships again in the Flying Dutchman class, and gained a bronze medal in 2008 Vintage Yachting Games Dragon class. As a director of the Academy since 2002 he has been continually involved with the development of the academy both in and off the water. In September 2010 Keith took up a challenge together with current Olympian, Nick Asher, and as a result of a sailing competition won the Academy a ‘powerPerfector’; a piece of equipment that makes a continuing contribution to reducing the Academy’s electricity costs.

Natalie joined the board in July 2002 and was vital in the early stages of the development of the Academy. She brought a strong legal knowledge to the Academy having held positions as Director of Legal Affairs at the Ford Motor Company and Director of Legal Affairs and Company Secretary at FCE Bank. Natalie and her husband, Tom, both campaign an SB3 very competitively. Throughout the important period of the development of the Academy Natalie’s expert legal advice was always available.

As a highlight of the Tullet Prebon London Boat Show, Keith and Natalie were both awarded for their service to the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy with glass plaques, beautifully engraved. In Keith’s case this was with a truly fitting Flying Dutchman, whilst Natalie’s had her beloved SB3 engraved on the glass. The awards were presented by the Chairman of the WPNSA, Edward Leask. Edward is a former Olympic sailor himself and has had a lifetime’s involvement with the marine sporting world; representing GBR on the water and being involved with the development of the Academy since its inception through to present day as the official 2012 sailing venue.

Edward Leask, Chairman at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, commented; 'Congratulations go to both Natalie and Keith on devoting nine years of their lives as Directors of WPNSA, which over that period has moved from being a temporary premises to now hosting the 2012 Olympics.'

On receiving this heartfelt recognition Keith Musto added; 'Thank you so much for the awards. It’s been an absolute privilege to watch the venue grow from a very simple holey slipway that reached the water at low tide springs and a very old building that eventually was knocked down and converted. To watch the Academy develop over the years to what it is today is tremendous. We’re so lucky in the UK to have that facility not just for the elite sailors but also for beginners and for education. It’s a wonderful spot and the envy of every other sailing nation.' WPNSA website