The RYA’s National Sailing Coach David Ritchie was joined by top Olympic coach Rob Andrews and America’s Cup commentator Richard Simmonds to launch Better Sailing at the Sailboat & Windsurf Show, held at Alexandra Palace on Saturday 1 March 2003. Exciting footage from the new video was shown on the big screens, interspersed with interviews with Rob and David.

Better Sailing is the second in the series of innovative new training videos from the RYA that reflect the changing face of sailing in the UK. Following hot on the heels of the first video Start Sailing, Better Sailing focuses on more advanced sailing techniques. Covering spinnakers, racing and performance sailing, Olympic gold medallist Shirley Robertson MBE and Rob Andrews help a couple take their sailing skills up a level.

David Ritchie, the RYA’s National Sailing Coach comments, Better Sailing takes up where Start Sailing left off. Better Sailing is time-coded and there is a guide to each section on the inside cover of the case, so you can either watch the whole thing, or find a specific area in which you feel you need some guidance. If you have been inspired by Ellen MacArthur’s endeavours and want to try a new sport, these videos provide an excellent introduction sailing.’

Both videos complement existing RYA publications, Start Sailing – Beginners Handbook (G3) and Dinghy Sailing – Advanced Handbook (G12) and will enable those interested in learning how to sail to combine the formats that suit them best.