WEYMOUTH is set to be the centre of a worldwide record-breaking bid in memory of tragic Olympic sailor Andrew Simpson this weekend.

More than 11,700 sailors have signed up from 738 clubs in 65 countries for the first ever Bart’s Bash, which is aiming to set a world record for the largest sailing event in the world.

Iain Percy OBE, Andrew’s former sailing partner, as well as a number of other Olympians including Nick Dempsey, Malcolm Page and Anthony Nossiter have chosen to take to the waters around Weymouth and Portland to mark the event.

Andrew’s sons Hamish and Freddie will also be taking part.

Event manager Tim Anderton said: “It is great that there are Olympians and ex-Olympians coming back to support this event down in Dorset. It will be a race and there will be results but the focus of the whole thing is on fun and participation.”

The event will be raising funds for the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation, which is based at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy and aims to support programmes around the world which promote Andrew’s and the Olympic values.

Bart’s Bash was launched on Andrew’s birthday in December last year and takes place on Sunday.

Mr Anderton said he had ‘no idea’ the concept would grow to involve such a huge amount of sailors and countries.

He added: “Our initial target was to get 50 clubs and 2,000 people involved. In the first day alone we had 46 clubs signing up and now we are so close we are getting 1,000 people signing up per day. It’s just getting bigger and bigger.

“I think having people like Ben Ainslie and Iain Percy behind it all, with the contacts they have, we always knew it was going to be phenomenal. There has been so much enthusiasm and motivation around the world, but especially here in Weymouth.”

Andrew, known affectionately as ‘Bart’ by his friends, is remembered for his dedication to the younger generation of sailors.

Mr Anderton said: “A lot of people who met Andrew speak of his visits to their clubs, how he always had time to teach young people and was genuinely interested. He cared about them and that has made a lasting impression, which really is what has made this event such a success.”