Some of America’s Cup organisers from San Francisco, one of the highest profile sailing events in the world, came to see how the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic sailing events were planned and delivered in Weymouth and Portland.
Organisers met members of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Local Operations Delivery Team to learn about how they planned and delivered the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic sailing events when they came to Weymouth.
The group travelled from London, where they met with various Olympic organisations, to Weymouth where they were met by representatives of Local Operations, Transport and Dorset Police.
Organisers toured the key Olympic locations and viewpoints, so they could see first hand the expanse of the areas involved and the challenges faced in delivering the competition and managing visitors in the various locations on both land and sea.
Particular interest was shown in the pre event collaborative work of various agencies leading up to the events and the day to day operations and communications structure during Games time and how this worked with all agencies at a national, regional and local level.
Detailed presentations were given at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPSNA) by Head of Weymouth & Portland 2012 Operations Simon Williams, Chief Executive of WPNSA John Tweed, Assistant Chief Constable Adrian Whiting and Chief Inspector David Dent from Dorset Police, which gave the group a broad view of the total operation.
America’s Cup Communications Director, Jane Sullivan said: “The delegation from San Francisco, host of the 34th Americas Cup later this year, is deeply impressed by the successful efforts of Weymouth and Portland in planning and hosting the sailing competitions of the 2012 Olympics. We found all the information shared to be very helpful. Congratulations on the terrific sailing centre, we wish you many more successful events”.
Cllr Ian Bruce, Weymouth & Portland Borough Council Tourism and Culture brief holder said: “Last summer a lot of hard work and planning put Weymouth, Portland and Dorset firmly on the world stage in a positive light.
“It is a fitting tribute that members of the America’s Cup organising team should seek advice from us on how we staged the local operations associated with the successful Olympic and Paralympic sailing events.”
