SUPERFAST racing in strong winds saw windsurfers reach speeds of 35 mph at the Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta.

The event at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy boasted a record number of entries for its second year.

More than 300 competitors from 15 countries have been battling it out on the water, with many of the British Olympic-class sailors taking part.

The RS:X windsurfers were particularly fast.

In the RS:X women's fleet, five out of the worlds top ten windsurfers are competing, including local champion Bryony Shaw, of Wyke Regis, who recently achieved gold at the pre-Olympics in Qingdao, China.

Speaking after yesterday's racing Bryony, 24, of Wyke Regis said: "It was really good. I got a second and a first.

"I'm really happy it's going well in the strong winds because I lost a lot of weight for Qingdao so I'm happy that I'm still able to do well against the high-wind specialists.

"There's definitely very shifty winds out there so it's very technical and good to have the home advantage having sailed out in this type of chop.

"Hopefully I'll be a little higher in the results now, because I had a bit of a bad result on Wednesday."

Athens Olympic bronze medallist windsurfer Nick Dempsey of Wyke Regis, said he too was struggling in the conditions after losing weight for the light-wind event in China.

He said: "It's really difficult at the moment because I haven't sailed in strong winds for a month.

"The first day was mayhem, all over the shot but I feel I'm getting better and better with every race.

"The competition this week is actually really good. "We've got the whole French squad here who are probably the best team in the world for strength and depth, so for them to come over is great.

"And for one of them at least to be beating me is equally good because it makes the whole event more interesting."

Communications manager for Skandia Team GBR Lindsey Bell said the Weymouth regatta is important event for the Royal Yachting Association.

She said: "It's our international regatta and obviously it will build in importance as we head towards 2012.

"All the foreign teams will want to come and train and compete here and get a flavour for what it will be like in five years time.

"This regatta is much bigger than last year so we're quite excited that it's growing year on year.

"The wind makes for more exciting racing with a lot quicker decision-making to be had."

Only the windsurfers managed to get races in yesterday after all the other classes' racing was cancelled due to the intense conditions.

Organisers are hoping that an earlier start today will enable more classes to see some action on the water.

The forecast is also looking good for this weekend's final medal races, which will see television broadcasts and radio coverage both online at www.skandiasailforgoldregatta.co.uk and via the local frequency 87.7 FM.