Britain’s sailing stars, who have returned from Qingdao with the best Olympic medal haul for over a century, are planning to be at the Southampton Boat Show on 12 September to open the event.

Gold medal winners Ben Ainslie, Paul Goodison, Iain Percy, Andrew Simpson, Sarah Ayton, Sarah Webb and Pippa Wilson (pictured with GBR Team members) will arrive at the Show on board Mike Golding’s yacht ECOVER 3 – with the skipper – at 10am.

They will then make their way to the Main Stage to officially open the Show in its 40th year.

Standing alongside the Olympic heroes will be boating legends and television personalities from the past 40 years. Representing the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and 00s, the stars will be celebrating the Show’s forty year history; since it was first started by Norman Kemish back in 1969.

The who’s who line up of past, present and modern day sailing will include Dame Ellen MacArthur, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, World Powerboat Champion Steve Curtis MBE, Kate O’Mara (who played Laura Wilde in 1980s TV series Howards Way), and Lady Pippa Blake, Sir Peter’s widow, will be attending the Show in her late husband’s honour.

To book tickets for the opening of the Show and get your chance to see the gold medal winning sailors in the flesh, simply call the ticket hotline on 0844 209 0333 or click here for special discounted rates.