Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy

HRH The Princess Royal, IOC Member and President of the Royal Yachting Association, officially opened the £7.85 million purpose-built Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA) on 9 June 2005.

Set up as a 'Sailing Centre of Excellence', the Academy is located within the former Royal Naval Air Station, HMS Osprey, Portland. This site covers approximately seven acres and launches directly into the sheltered water of Portland Harbour. Immediately outside the harbour excellent sailing can be found in Weymouth Bay. The enclosed harbour will provide one course area offering flat water, with four other course areas planned in the bay in relatively close proximity to the shore.

The Academy's state of the art facilities include new pontoons, launching ramps and extensive development of onshore facilities. The dedicated strength and conditioning gym is fully tailored to the specific needs of the sport, for able-bodied and disabled sailors alike. The National Sailing Academy will be further improved as the Olympic sailing venue and benefit from the improved facilities the Games will leave behind, providing a state-of-the-art facility for elite training, competition and local community use. The venue will also be available as a training centre prior to the Games.

Weymouth and Portland

Situated approximately two and a half hours away from London, Weymouth and the south west of England has excellent road and rail links to London and the rest of Great Britain.

Competitors will be accommodated on a cruise liner in the bay, with Race Officials at local hotels.

A spectator friendly venue, fans will be able to line the shores of Dorset and east Devon to enjoy the sailing events.