Cruising yachtsmen who occasionally like to ‘race round the cans’ will be able to bathe in the reflected glory of Sir Ben Ainslie thanks to the Olympic legacy.

Equipment used in Weymouth and Portland during the Olympics, which is now obsolete is being donated to sailing clubs around the country. The kit includes sets of marks which Sir Ben would have rounded.

The four National Academy venues as well as some other key clubs that have supported events in the build up to 2012, will receive the gear.

John Derbyshire, RYA racing manager, said: ‘We are very fortunate to have received such a large amount of specialist equipment and by distributing this around the country we believe the benefit will be felt by many sailors. We have to also remember that we are grateful for the dedication and commitment shown by so many volunteer race officials who used this equipment at the Games and will continue to use it to run events in the future.’