2012 Olympic Games in Dorset
Olympic sailing in Weymouth and Portland

The year 2012 will be a special year in the UK as London has won the hosting of the Olympic Games and all sailing events for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games take place in Weymouth and Portland Harbour.

Unlike many other Olympic events, many people don't realise that the Sailing is quite unique in that the teams and competitors need to get to know the local area as if they have sailed here all their lives. This is so that they have a thorough understanding of the local winds, tides, currents and weather systems.

This means to the local economy that, following the closing ceremony of the Bejing Olympics, the eyes of the sailing hopefuls will turn immediately to Weymouth and Portland.

They will start visiting and very quickly make bases here to give them the best advantage when the races occur in 2012. So, rather than be an event that lasts a few short weeks that summer, the sailing will benefit Weymouth and Portland for 4 years even before the races take place.

In total 30,000 olympics spectators expected to arrive in Weymouth in 2012, in addition to the athletes, which offers a great opportunity for you to earn premium rental revenue on your holiday home. Find out about sub-letting your holiday home

About Weymouth and Portland Harbour
Weymouth and Portland Harbour provides some of the best natural sailing waters in the UK, with facilities on land to match.

Where is it?
The venue is located adjacent to Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA).

Preparation
A new slipway, 70 moorings and associated facilities are being developed at WPNSA. A new 600-berth commercial marina is also being built nearby. This will form part of the Sailing venue, with 250 of the berths used for test events and during the Games.

A planning application to improve the marine facilities was approved in June 2007, following detailed public consultation. A construction contractor has been appointed, with construction due to begin in early May.

Construction work is due to finish by the end of 2008, so Weymouth and Portland will be one of the first of the venues to be ready for the 2012 Games.

The Games
Sailing will be a non-ticketed event: it will be free for spectators who will be able to view the Olympic and Paralympic Sailing competitions not only from the shore, but also from the many high points around the coastline overlooking Weymouth and Portland Harbour.

After the Games
The National Sailing Academy will benefit from the improved facilities that the Games will leave behind, providing a state-of-the-art facility for elite training, competition and local community use.

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