WPNSA: 1000 Days Countdown to 2012 Olympics Marked with Revive Portland Halloween Event

Getting ready for the 1000 day Halloween prize giving on the podium, Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy Chief Executive, John Tweed with Assistant Chief Executive, Rachel Sadler. Image copyright Revive Portland Project 2009.

by Cailah Leask

The Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA) will be marking the 1000 day countdown to the Games with a local ‘Revive Portland Project’ Halloween event involving the whole of Dorset in an evening of outdoor events on October 31st. It is now a year since the award winning, world class sailing venue celebrated full completion, followed by a memorable Royal visit by Her Majesty the Queen and it is now fitting that the landmark 1000 days countdown starts with a local community event inspiring the people of Weymouth and Portland to start their celebrations leading up to London 2012.

The 31st October trick or treat weekend event will be free to the entire South West, including a lantern procession starting at 18:00 from Portland Castle, fanfare of ship’s sirens and magnificent water based firework display at 20:12 hours, all followed by fancy dress and lantern competitions with plenty of legendary local Dorset food, drink and music. Rachel Sadler, Assistant Chief Executive of WPNSA will be on the judging panel for the spooky themes.

The Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, venue for the sailing competition at the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, will be supplying the prize giving rostrum for the Halloween event. The rostrum has a history of international sailing and windsurfing stars receiving world titles on the original steps as well as the upcoming youth level and South West aspiring sport talents. The rostrum will act as a centre point for the event prize giving where gold, silver and bronze medals will be presented across a range of Halloween themed categories.

Rachel Sadler, Assistant Chief Executive, WPNSA:
‘It is now a year ago since the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy was finished, becoming the first London 2012 venue to be fully completed. After a summer marked by a memorable Royal visit by Her Majesty the Queen and numerous international sporting events, we are delighted that 1000 days is being marked in Weymouth and Portland by a local community event that will inspire us all and start the important local celebrations leading up to the Games.’

Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy