HOME favourite Megan Pascoe is determined to continue her fine form in the Paralympic 2.4mR class when racing gets underway today at the Sail for Gold Regatta, hosted by Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy.

Portland’s Pascoe is attempting to retain the title she won last year, and she goes into the five-day event having impressed on the ISAF Sailing World Cup and EUROSAF circuits.

“I am definitely looking forward to the Sail for Gold Regatta this year, it is one of my favourite competitions,” she said.

“We have world class waters in Weymouth Bay and Portland Harbour and it’s always nice to compete on home waters.

“It is a completely new format they are using which is something that us 2.4mR sailors aren’t used to, so it could be quite entertaining with 16 very short races.”

Pascoe has picked up four podium finishes so far this season, with two gold medals at the Sailing World Cup in Miami and the Delta Lloyd Regatta, her last before returning to Weymouth and Portland.

She will line up against 12 other boats today, including that of fellow Portlander Helena Lucas.

Pascoe added: “I won Sail for Gold last year so it would be great if I could retain my title, but we have some tough competition this year.

“Every regatta is important and a crucial stepping stone towards Rio.”

Racing comes thick and fast with a number of Olympic and Paralympic class sailors, including Nick Dempsey, Bryony Shaw, Luke Patience and Stuart Bithell, all taking part.