Olympian Luke Patience will be star of the show
Silver medallist Luke Patience has thrown his support behind the RYA Scotland Big Weekend.
The event, which is supported by MalinWaters, will be held in Largs from 23 to 24 February 2013.
There will be lots of opportunities to meet Luke, ask him about his Olympic experiences and his aims for 2013 as well as seeing him in action in the Pico Rigging competition.
The 26-year-old will also be presenting the prizes at the RYA Scotland Annual Awards dinner on the Saturday night at the Big Weekend.
Since his successful Olympic debut at the London 2012 Games, Luke has been ‘busy, busy’ taking a break from sailing and enjoying unforgettable celebration nights with team GB, photo shoots, video shoots and sponsor days.
He said: ‘I have hardly been in a boat.’
When asked if he knows who he will be sailing with in 2013, following last month’s announcement about his split with crewmate Stuart Bithell, Luke added: ‘I do! However it is currently not something that we wish to release yet
‘Me and Stu had to make the hard decision. It’s a real shame because we are great friends and have had a great time together in this boat.
‘However, the Rio Olympics is going to be such a light wind event and we just feel that we are not a light enough team to win.
‘I’m really excited about my new partnership and I know Stu is also.’
2013 brings with it a new season and lots of new challenges.
Luke is looking forward to racing again. He said: ‘I miss it after five months off.
‘It’s time to get working again, and I love the hard work. I am looking forward to the blood, sweat and tears.
‘The World Champs 2013 is the next big one really.
‘It’s in La Rochelle, France in early August and that’s where my head lies currently.
‘We also have our world cup tour in between all that, but these are all building events to the Worlds.’
Luke will be opening the RYA Scotland Big Weekend to the public at 11am on Saturday 23 February and holding a question and answer session for the first hour in the main trade hall.
He will be helping to judge the final of the Schools Blow Boat competition at 12pm on Saturday as well as presenting at the awards dinner in the evening.
Luke will hold a further question and answer session on the Sunday at 3pm for the last hour of the show and join the RYA Scotland team for the Pico Rigging Challenge.
The Big Weekend offers lots of workshops taking place in both the trade hall and the club hall, plus exhibitors with plenty to show and tell visitors.
Tickets cost £5 and children under 16 go free.