AN EXCITING year ‘like no other’ is forecast for the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA).

In addition to hosting the Olympic and Paralympic sailing events at the end of July, the world-class venue has an action-packed diary that encompasses several inaugural events.

Next month, Sunsail Racing will be launching a big boat yacht racing experience for amateur sailors called ‘Chase the Gold Regatta’, which will also return to the academy for phase two in September.

A BBC Sport Relief event run by SailLaser will then be followed by the inaugural WPNSA Outdoor Show on March 31, with taster sessions for energetic visitors.

In April, WPNSA will hold its first ever Wedding Fayre, while the sailing season launches in May with a USA match racing event The Sail for a Fiver programme, which has already introduced more than 9,000 local children to the sport of sailing, starts on April 30 and will run throughout the summer.

Olympic camps and youth winter training are already in full swing at the academy but this show of talent will increase in June for the Sail for Gold Regatta.

This will be followed by the Laser SB3 dinghy class National Championships, and a ‘Small Ships Race’ from London to Portland from June 11 to 15, which will then ‘race round the bay’ on Saturday, June 16.

The Lord Lieutenant of Dorset will start the Weymouth Bay race by firing cannons from Nothe Fort.

On June 21 the academy launches into a cross power, sail and air event with the start of ‘Round Britain 2012’ for powerboats, supercars and aircraft.

The finish on June 30 will coincide with the start of the Spirit of the Sea Festival.

Then the ‘National Schools Sailing Regatta’ and Olympic Torch Relay visit on July 12 will be the last events before the greatest sporting showpiece on the planet, the Olympic and Paralympic Games, when London 2012 sailing and windsurfing events will be hosted throughout July, August and September.

In October the world’s longest-running speed week will return to Portland Harbour and December will see a ‘Winter Wonderland’ at the academy with an indoor ice rink and Santa’s Grotto.

Academy chief executive John Tweed said: “It’s going to be a very exciting year, a summer like no other and I hope you’re all going to enjoy it.”