WEYMOUTH & Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA) is ready for another year of action, with some youth sailors taking to the winter waters of Portland Harbour as early as this month.

The WPNSA has confirmed six national ranking events across the year for Olympic classes, as well as five national championships and a multitude of regional events.

The Royal Yachting Association’s Youth National Championships, one of the most important annual events in a youth sailor’s racing calendar, will be held at the academy for a second consecutive year.

Racing takes place from April 4-10.

In April, high-adrenaline Moth dinghies will cover Portland Harbour when the Moth Grand Prix is held over the weekend of April 18-19.

Developed during the late 1920s in Australia, this design now uses hydrofoils which allows the dinghies to fly over the water.

The International Sailing Federation (ISAF) World Cup will also return to Weymouth and Portland in 2015.

Talking about the importance of this event, chief executive of the WPNSA, Peter Allam, said: “It is part of a five-event global series staging racing in Melbourne, Miami, Hyeres, Weymouth and Portland, and Qingdao.

“This will be the highest profile event to be held at the academy in 2015.

“With 678 sailors having competed recently in Miami, the ISAF World Cup will pull the elite athletes back to the UK shores.

“Dubbed the ‘Road to the Olympics’, it is a chance to mix with the stars of the sailing world from June 8-14.”

August is a big month for the younger sailors during the summer holidays with the Topper National Championship running from August 1-7.

There are nearly 50,000 boats sold worldwide which will guarantee a packed start line at this event.

Another dinghy designed for single-handed youth sailing is the RS Tera.

The fleet will be hosting their national championship on site from August 28-31. The successful Hansa class for disabled sailors will make full use of the warmer weather and excellent facilities, with racing planned from August 14-16.

The academy schedule continues with autumnal action, including an opportunity for everyone to get involved in the second annual Bart’s Bash, taking place on September 20.

The first week of October is dedicated to speed with the pilgrimage to Weymouth Speed Week.

This is an annual favourite for the region where crafts ranging from windsurfing kit to home-made catamarans compete against the clock to set new world records.

The WPNSA welcomes visitors to view the racing during these events from the open air deck and indoor café, and parking is free of charge.

For more information, or a full guide of events, make sure you visit wpnsa. org.uk