AUGUST 12 - AUSTRALIA, China, Russia and the United States are the sailing teams that have been targeted by officials from Weymouth and Portland to train in the area during the build-up to the 2012 Olympics.

 

A delegation from Team South West, led by director Guy Lavender, are due to travel today to Qingdao, the venue for the sailing events at this year's Olympics, to begin discussions.

 

He is expecting high demand because international teams will want to train on the waters where the sailing events in 2012 will be held.

 

Lavender said: "We are already starting to see a demand for the training facilities and we are talking about major sporting nations coming here.

 

"I don't want to get drawn into speculation into who is coming but I think we want to be looking for teams with a high international profile.

 

"USA, China, Australia, Russia and some of the big European countries are the big medal winners who demand the best facilities."

 

Among the venues that Lavender is hoping to sell are Weymouth Colleage and Castle Cove Sailing Club.

He said: "We expect a high demand for them.
 
"There are other sailing venues but there's a real demand for teams to sail on the waters in which they are going to compete.
 
"The big teams will come over and acclimatise in the years running up to the Games and this is what gives the area longer term benefits and relationships.
 
"We've looked at all the venues and what teams already have links with them to see who would be suitable."
 
Lavender believes that Weymouth and Portland is already beginning to see the legacy of the area hosting the sailing events in 2012.
 
He said: "Every time you stand on Portland you can see the Olympic legacy in action so I've no doubt the effect will be huge and the regeneration of the area will be a big aspect.
 
"I think the benefits will have the impact of transforming the Borough for the future.
 
"The eyes of the world will be on Weymouth and Portland and we want to make sure we showcase the area.
 
"We have to think about how to attract people and where they are going to go."