1948 beacon handed to Weymouth at 1230
A replica of the 1948 Olympic torch is to be handed to the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA) later today.
The torch has travelled almost 80 miles by sea and visited 16 sailing clubs, since starting its relay in Torbay, which was the venue for the sailing events when Britain last hosted the Olympics in 1948.
RYA regional development officer in the South West, Tony Wood, who was a key figure in the relay’s organisation, said: ‘We are overwhelmed with the response we have had from this relay.
‘Sailing clubs across the coast have been holding the most fantastic celebrations with sailors and windsurfers of all ages welcoming it and sailing alongside side it, as it travels from venue to venue.’
16-year-old Jacob Barnett (pictured) began the relay at Royal Torbay Yacht Club on May 20 in his Laser dinghy.
During Jubilee weekend, hundreds of people passed the torch along Topsham’s ‘long table’ which stretched around the village.
And today Gordon Oliver, mayor of Torbay, will finish the relay by presenting the flame to the chairman of the WPNSA, Edward Leask, at 12.30pm.
Mr Oliver said: ‘This year Torbay marked the Olympic Torch Relay with many great celebrations including the replica torch relay setting sail from Torquay for Weymouth.
‘It gives me the utmost pleasure to hand over the replica torch which symbolises all the wonderful elements of the Games from 1948 right through to today.’
Olympic sailing park and ride site flooded.