Double Olympic silver medallist Nick Rogers has been to Bewl Sailing Club, offering invaluable tips to more than 100 sailors competing at the Royal Yachting Association’s Volvo South East Championship.

Local youngsters were offered an insight to his successful sailing career and his preparation for the Beijing Olympics.

“It’s great to be back at Bewl Valley helping new sailing talent and I was greatly impressed by the high standard of sailing,” said Rogers. “Who knows, some of these young sailors could become a part of a future British Olympic sailing team.”

There was a misty start to the morning but when it lifted, a light breeze allowed the youngsters to get on the water and compete, testing their light wind sailing skills, similar to the conditions experienced by Rogers in Beijing.

With Rogers looking on, Whitstable-based sisters Meia and Elin Harnett won the sole race in the double-handed Mirror class from Cambridge pair Tim Lachlan-Cope and Theo Clarke. Mali Harnett (Whistable) and Isabelle Bruton (Lysted) were third.

The 2008 Volvo RYA South East Zone Championships are considered a key event for young sailors wishing to be selected for the RYA Zone and Home Counties squads.