The UK’s only gay and lesbian sailing club has been shortlisted for the RYA’s Club of the Year award.

The Sailing & Cruising Association‘s commodore, Reggie Blennerhassett, described the nomination as ‘the very best start to the new year we could have wished for’.

He said: ‘2010, our 30th anniversary year, saw many highs, including multiple medals at the Gay Games, winning silver in the 2010 Inshore JOG Series and record membership numbers.

‘Now, 2011, with news of the RYA awards shortlist, is already proving to be another exciting year for the club.’

The announcement of the winner will take place during the RYA Dinghy Show at Alexandra Palace, London on March 5 and 6. 2010’s club of the year was Exe Sailing Club.

RYA Volunteer Development Officer Jackie Bennetts, who coordinates the awards comments: ‘The Club of the Year Awards were set up to highlight and promote all the good work clubs and their members put into keeping our sport alive.

‘All the finalists are excellent; well run, vibrant and forward looking clubs who really excel at what they set out to do.

The other finalists are; Glossop Sailing Club, Derbyshire; Hollowell Sailing Club, Northamptonshire; South Staffordshire Sailing Club and Spinnaker Sailing Club, Hampshire.

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