RYA's 'Our Sporting Life - Sail for Gold' Exhibition hits the road 

Take a journey through over 112 years of British Olympic and Paralympic heritage...

This weekend (25-26 February) marks the first dates on the UK wide tour for the RYA’s ‘Our Sporting Life – Sail for Gold’ exhibition; a celebration of our Olympic and Paralympic sailing heritage.  

Following a special RYA members preview earlier in the year at the Tullett Prebon London Boat Show, the exhibition, which looks back over 112 years-worth of British Olympic and Paralympic sailing history, makes the long trip to Largs in Scotland for its first public appearance as part of RYA Scotland’s Big Weekend.  

What you'll see

“The exhibition consists of photos and memorabilia through the ages, from pre world-war one right through to our present day champions, with past Olympic and Paralympic sailors including legend Rodney Pattisson, Keith Musto, Andy Cassell and Alistair Currey having all very kindly shared with us some great items for the exhibition”, explains Celia Edgington, Sail for Gold co-ordinator.  

Starting off in Largs, the exhibition will then travel to the RYA Volvo Dinghy Show in London, before hitting the road again taking in Liverpool, Cornwall, Weymouth (during the Olympic and Paralympic Games) before finishing its tour in Colchester in September / October time.  

Inspirational

Triple Olympic gold and silver medallist Ben Ainslie said of the exhibition: “It is hugely inspiring. As a child growing up you heard about your heroes, but to see all the photos and memorabilia is hugely inspirational.  It gives you a lot of pride in our sailing heritage which is important, especially for the younger generation to see what support the sailors now have in particular compared with how it was in the past.”

You can view the exhibition for yourself at the following events and locations:

Venue	Location	Date
RYA Scotland's Big Weekend	Inverclyde, Largs	24 - 26 February
RYA Volvo Dinghy Show	Alexandra Palace, London	03 - 04 March
Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre	Waterloo, Liverpool	10 March -10 April
National Maritime Museum Cornwall	Falmouth, Cornwall	03 May - 24 June
Weymouth and Portland (during London 2012 Games)	Weymouth Bayside Festival	27 July – 12 August
Brightlingsea Sailing Club	Colchester	15 – 30 September

“We hope you can join us at one of these venues and enjoy this journey through Olympic and Paralympic sailing history”, concluded Celia.  

Find out more about the exhibition