A FATHER and daughter duo are taking on tough competition at a world championship catamaran Sailing regatta.

Lawrie and Ellie Draper have teamed up to compete against 126 other boats from nine different nations in this week’s Dart 18 World Championships in Weymouth Bay.

It is the biggest event of the year for the pair who are racing at the home sailing club of their Olympic-class relative.

Lawrie, 60, of the New Forest, is also the father of bronze medallist and elite 49er sailor Chris Draper of Crossways, near Dorchester who is well underway with his 2012 campaign.

Ellie, 29, of the Hamble, said her older brother and his baby son Harry supported them with a visit to the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy after flying back from San Francisco.

She said: “I used to always come along to Weymouth when I was little and Chris was training in his Optimist or 420 out of Castle Cove Sailing Club.

“So it is really strange to now be round at the new sailing academy and racing out of the venue that Chris trains from so regularly.”

Accountant Ellie, who began sailing aged seven and gets out on the water whenever she can, said the Dart 18 was a fast boat, with only two sails and no spinnaker so it required tactical racing in the one-design class.

She has sailed with her father on and off for 10 years, although they also race with other people.

The Dart 18 Worlds has brought strong competition to the 2012 waters including title defender and European Champion, Emmanuel Dodé of France and the current British champion, David Lloyd.

The 127 teams have not only been battling each other since racing began on Monday but also extreme weather conditions.

Strong winds led to cancellations and postponements earlier in the week and on the first day several boats capsized and needed mast repairs.

But the event got back on track with an early start on Wednesday.

Ellie said the huge number of racing catamarans made an ‘impressive sight’, as did the ‘big opening ceremony’ when all the competing nations’ flags were raised and the national anthems were played.

Racing ends today with a prize-giving ceremony scheduled for 4.30pm and Ellie and Lawrie hope to be in the top 20.