WORLD windsurfing champion Nick Dempsey is determined to compete at Sail for Gold despite suffering a back injury that left him housebound for three days.

The Athens Olympic bronze medallist, who lives in Wyke Regis, Weymouth has been undergoing intensive physiotherapy to get him back on form for the event on home waters.

Despite still struggling in strong wind conditions, the RS:X windsurfing star pledged to be on the starting line when racing begins on Monday and said pulling out ‘is not an option.’ Dempsey, 29, said: “I’ve got the Sail for Gold and then the World Championships two weeks after in Denmark. It’s going to be a pretty full-on five weeks.

“I’m not going to be on form for Sail for Gold as I was injured a few weeks ago and missed three weeks of training at a critical time.

“My back still hasn’t healed up and I’m struggling in the strong winds.

“I’ve prepared as best I can to make sure I’m still competitive.

“I’ve just got to carry on, this could happen ahead of the Games.

“Pulling out is not an option.”

The back injury occurred while Dempsey was training at the Skandia Team GBR performance centre’s gym at Osprey Quay but the pain only really kicked in when he returned home and lifted up his one-year-old son Thomas.

Dempsey said: “I couldn’t move for three days. I’ve been working with a physio every day for the past few weeks. Hopefully it should be good by the Worlds which start on August 27 – I’m going there to defend my title.”

A record-breaking 973 athletes from 56 nations have signed up to compete in this year’s Skandia Sail for Gold regatta.

Other notable entries include Britain’s triple Olympic gold and silver medallist Ben Ainslie in the Finn class, Sherborne gold medallist Andrew Simpson and team-mate Iain Percy in the Star men’s keelboat.

Also in action are double Olympic gold medallist Sarah Dempsey and Saskia Clark in the 470 women’s dinghy class, Beijing bronze medallist windsurfer Bryony Shaw and Laser world champion Paul Goodison.

The event, hosted at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy, is the fifth and final instalment of the 2010 ISAF Sailing World Cup regatta.

Former Weymouth schoolgirl Shaw, 27, said this year’s Sail for Gold was the ‘most important yet.’ She said: “This is the event where we’re really trying to physically peak and use the best equipment.

“In the past I’ve been known for dominating in light winds but I need to be an all-rounder for Weymouth.”

Shaw is determined to beat her second placing at last year’s Sail for Gold and then to ‘maintain that momentum through to the RS:X Worlds.’ Team GB Olympic manager Stephen Park urged Weymouth and Portland residents, and visitors, to watch the racing and show their support for the home team.

He added: “There’s an opport-unity for people to come down to the academy and get involved.”