WORLD 49er Champions Chris Draper and Simon Hiscocks have been getting in some last-minute practice on home turf while dodging hundreds of young sailors.

They have been preparing for the 49er European Championships and 29er World Championships, which begin tomorrow from the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy and run until July 30.

Although they have already won this year's world championship at Aixs-les-Bains in France in June, neither sailor is complacent about gaining the European title.

Hiscocks said: "We have got our work cut out for us big time.

"We have got to perform again, it's the same as any other event."

Their chief opposition comes from the Ukrainian, Greek and Spanish teams.

"The Ukrainians and Spanish are very strong and some of the British guys are as well. I would expect to see that, come the results time, at least one of that lot will be in the top groups," added Hiscocks.

He said the pair had spent the last few days practising after several weeks' rest. Hiscocks added: "We have to be careful we do not interfere with the other courses."

If the pair prove quicker than the 94 other boats in their class and win this competition it will be their third consecutive European title.

Event director Rosie Julian said: "We're delighted with the strength of entry at these championships which in terms of competitor numbers will be the biggest sailing event staged to date at the sailing academy."

The event, which follows straight on from the Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championships, will feature 200 boats and about 400 sailors from 25 countries.

The racing will start on Monday, July 24.

Following this regatta Chris Draper and Simon Hiscocks are heading to Cowes for corporate work before flying out to Beijing for the pre-Olympic regatta in August.