EXCITEMENT is mounting ahead of Bart’s Bash, the largest sailing event in the world, which is set for Sunday.

The global event, held in memory of the late Andrew Simpson, will be taking place at sailing clubs in more than 60 different countries, including on the waters of Weymouth and Portland.

In total there are in excess of 3,900 entries – a number that is continuing to rise – with seven different clubs and centres in the Weymouth area involved.

These are the Andrew Simpson Sailing Centre, Castle Cove Sailing Club, Chesil Sailability, the Official Test Centre, the Royal Dorset Yacht Club, the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA) and Weymouth Sailing Club (WSC).

A race for sailing dinghies will be held in Portland Harbour, as well as a separate race for windsurfers.

Meanwhile, out in Weymouth Bay, WSC host a race for Keelboats, Squibs and boats from other clubs in Dorset.

It is planned that the races will start at 11am.

After the racing finishes a special event, the Bart’s Bash Buoy Race, takes place at the WPNSA.

This allows those with less sailing experience to get on the water and be involved.

There will also be a number of the British Sailing Team taking part and, as at last year’s event, Simpson’s Olympic sailing partner Iain Percy is going to sail with the former’s son, Freddie.

There is a lot of affection and respect for the late Simpson among former and current Olympians, and the participation of so many is just confirmation of this.

All the money raised from the event will go to the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation which was set up in memory of the Olympian, who died while training for the America’s Cup in 2013.

Alongside the sailing events are a selection of other fundraising activities including a dinner at WPNSA on Friday night where Percy will be the guest speaker.

It is anticipated that this year’s Bart’s Bash effort will break the records for participation and fundraising which the event set last year.

  • Andrew Simpson and Iain Percy won gold in the Star class at the 2008 Beijing Olympics before claiming silver on the waters of Weymouth and Portland in 2012.