Olympics ‘48 sailing relay re-staged

Tuesday, 12 June 2012

AN Olympic torch relay from the 1948 Games will be re-enacted in the West Country and will visit several local yacht clubs.
A replica 1948 sailing torch will be transported by water along a string of sailing clubs in Devon and Dorset, marked by beach parties along the route, to recreate the journey made 64 years ago.
In the summer of 1948, a torchbearer ran through the Torre Abbey, Torquay, to welcome athletes from 25 nations. Torbay was the scene of the last Olympic sailing events in Britain.
This time, the iconic beacon began its journey in Torbay where it was sailed to Paignton Sailing Club. John Maynard, who competed in the 1968 Olympic Games sailing in the Finn Class, was on hand to receive the torch.
The torch will now journey up the coast, visiting 16 sailing clubs along the way including the Axe Yacht Club and the sailing centre at Weymouth, where yachtsmen and women from all around the world will compete for medals this summer.
The replica torch will arrive in Seaton by boat from Beer Sailing Club on Saturday afternoon (June 16th) and, if the weather is fine, will be handed over by sea between dinghies and perhaps a lugger around lunchtime in the centre of Seaton Bay. If weather is a problem, the handover will take place by road rather than sea.
The torch and its bearers will then be welcomed with an informal reception at the Axe Yacht Club Clubhouse which, weather depending, may include a barbecue.
The torch will then be on display in the clubhouse throughout the following week until Saturday June 23rd when it will be handed over by Axe Yachtsmen and Women to Lyme Regis Sailing Club.
During the week, the torch will be taken by Royal Yacht Association representative, Tony Woods to Seaton Primary School and Colyton Grammar School where a ‘Feva sailing dinghy’ will be displayed alongside the torch in a special assembly.

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