Skandia Sail for Gold is fast approaching, and the World’s top Windsurfers are heading to Britain for the final leg of the ISAF World Cup Series. Still in contention for an overall medal placing, Team GBR’s Nick Dempsey is busy preparing for a tough test in Weymouth ahead of his defence of the RS:X World Championship crown which is in Denmark at the end of the month (August 27th – September 5th).

Nick knows that these two major events are vital in his preparations for when the Olympic Games come to Weymouth in 2012.

“I’m really looking forward to the next two events as they form a key part of my build up to London 2012. Skandia Sail for Gold starts on Monday here at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, which is of course the future home of the Olympics. So getting some competitive action here is ideal before I head to Denmark for the World Championships at the end of August.”

At Skandia Sail for Gold, Nick will be competing at the scene of his 2009 RS: X World Championship win, as well as a Silver medal at the 2008 edition of Skandia Sail for Gold. This home advantage should provide Nick with a boost in what has been at time been a difficult season.

“Normally I would have been gearing all my training this year for these two upcoming events, however things haven’t been perfect for me with being pretty ill and picking up a few niggling injuries which have affected my training. However I still have a month before the Worlds to get things right, and Sail for Gold is perfect for me as I know the waters off Weymouth really well.

My record here has been really good in competitions over the years, so I know I can sail better than I have in recent months, and what better place to do it at than here. If I can get some fast kit, and the conditions work in my favour, then I’m confident I can put in a good performance at Sail for Gold and take it on to Denmark.”

Nick and the rest of Team GBR are now busy preparing for the competition, which will see over 900 athletes descend on the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy for a what is fast becoming an important part of the British sporting calendar.

“Ahead of the Regatta, I have moved into team accommodation and I am here for the following two weeks. I am now firmly inside the team bubble getting ready for Sail Gold! It’s pretty strange moving into a squad house just a mile from home! The Sailing Academy has been buzzing the last week; we have had the TV news down for their countdown to 2012 specials, I was interviewed on the water by the BBC which I am still getting used to! We also had the rest of Team GBR here for squad meetings and training sessions which have been really encouraging and it does feel like I am starting to put it all together. On top of all that we had 500 young sailors here taking part in the Volvo Musto Optimist British Nationals! Seeing the place so full really gives you an idea of what Weymouth will be like during the Games. It is really going to be a busy time for me but I am really looking forward to testing myself against the best Windsurfers in the world.”

Skandia Sail for Gold is the seventh and final leg event of the ISAF World Cup Series and runs from the 9th – 14th August.

The 2010 RS:X World Windsurfing Championships take place in Kerteminde, Denmark from August 26th – September 5th.

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