Princess Anne, President of the RYA, has opened the RYA’s multipurpose facility at Weymouth and Portland, RYA Portland House. She also spent time on the water watching over 320 of the country’s top young sailors competing at the RYA Volvo Youth National Championships.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, which was attended by a mix of local dignitaries and RYA volunteers and staff, Her Royal Highness said: “The association of the RYA and Portland goes back over 40 years and this new facility is a real benefit and investment in the area.

“RYA Portland House is part of a wider development plan for the area which the RYA is pleased to be a part of, working with Weymouth and Portland Council, Sutton Harbour and the RDA.

“A striking and elegant building, RYA Portland House provides a real buzz of excitement not just for the Olympic teams but all squads, class associations and RYA members and will play its part in bringing people from all over the UK to Weymouth and Portland.”

During the ceremony Her Royal Highness met many of the people who were involved in the development of the facility, took a tour of the House and had a ‘behind the scenes’ look at Skandia Team GBRs state of the art performance unit.

HRH then made her way across to Weymouth and Portland Sailing Academy where she was met by RYA Volvo Youth National Championships Event Director Duncan Truswell before they both took to the water to watch race proceedings. With the six youth classes racing at the event split between three course areas, the Princess Royal spent just over an hour soaking up the atmosphere between the three before returning ashore.    

The RYA’s multipurpose facility at Weymouth and Portland, RYA Portland House, provides accommodation, conference facilities and a home for the British sailing team in the lead up to the 2012 Olympics.