WEYMOUTH Olympian Nick Dempsey is ‘living every moment’ of his quest for gold at his fourth, and final, Olympic Games.

The Athens bronze medallist was always determined to give the London 2012 Olympics his all – but now the once-in-a-lifetime event on home waters has grown in importance.

Dempsey told of his shock this weekend at the ‘unexpected decision’ by international Sailing bosses to cut windsurfing from the 2016 Olympic line up.

The home Games was always expected to be Dempsey’s last hurrah in a sport he has dominated in Great Britain for more than 12 years.

But now the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) have ruled that the RS:X men and women windsurfing classes will be replaced by kiteboarding at the 2016 Olympic Sailing Competition in Rio de Janeiro – it definitely will be. The 31-year-old said: “Wow, unexpected. That was a big decision and a very sad day for windsurfing.

“My heart goes out to all the aspiring champions and kids with dreams of windsurfing at the Olympics.”

Among the rising stars left reeling by the news are Dempsey’s protégé Elliot Carney and Izzy Hamilton, who has been training with Beijing bronze medallist Bryony Shaw.

Dempsey, like the majority of Britain’s top sailors, is now training full time at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy.

He will be competing at the Skandia Sail for Gold regatta in June ahead of the London 2012 Games in August.

Dempsey, of Wyke Regis, said: “There are a lot of very good and talented windsurfers but that only goes to a certain level, then you have to do the extra.

“This will be my fourth Olympic Games. I find it easier to train as the years go on, you just learn how to do it, you understand what you’re capable of and what works for you.

“There is no secret, just work hard. A typical day for me is three hours in the gym, I do a lot on the cross trainer, bike, rowing machine and weights.

“Then up to two and a half hours on the water.

“Some of the other classes go out for four hours but windsurfing is the most physical of the Olympic classes so we don’t need to go out for long.”

The superfit star, who came second at the Olympic test event, added: “It’s great being able to live and train on my doorstep, being able to live every moment of it.

“Everything I do is about winning and training, I just want to do my best.

“I’m ready for this.”

Former Weymouth schoolgirl Bryony Shaw, 29, told of her disgust at the ISAF decision on her Bryony Shaw Windsurfing Facebook page.

She said: “Old man politics playing with people’s lives!

“Wreckless in chopping and changing sailing disciplines with no consideration to dedicated athletes.”

She added: “My focus on London now seems heightened! New discipline for Rio...new challenge.”