COMPETITION is hotting up for Portland Sailing star Megan Pascoe and her British teammate Helena Lucas who are battling for selection for the 2012 Games.

Yesterday marked six months to go until the London 2012 Paralympic Games and the unveiling of the Paralympic Torch.

From Saturday, September 1 until Thursday, September 6 this year, 80 disabled athletes from around the world will be competing on Portland Harbour in three medal events.

London 2012 Paralympic Sailing will be hosted three weeks after the Olympic Games at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy.

Unlike the Olympics there will not be an official ticketed spectator site and so the top viewpoint of Nothe Gardens will be open to the public, as will the nearby Sandsfoot Castle and both are expected to be packed with residents and visitors.

Last August, five island sailors became the first athletes to be selected for Team GB.

John Robertson, Hannah Stodel and Steve Thomas will represent Great Britain in the Sonar three-person keelboat, while four-time World Champions Niki Birrell and Alex Rickham will race in the Skud-18 two-person keelboat.

The final slot for the single-handed 2.4mR boat, and the two remaining Olympic classes – the Laser Radial and 49er Skiff – will depend on results at the forthcoming Prince Sofia Trophy Regatta in Palma, Majorca, the Hyeres regatta in France and Sail for Gold regatta in Weymouth and Portland.

Pascoe, of Fortuneswell, said: “The selection process officially ends after Sail for Gold in June but a decision could be made before then.

“Helena and I train together and we share the travel down to Palma and Hyeres, we work together but it’s different when the actual event comes.

“There are only three sailing classes left to be selected so it’s quite weird.

“In some ways it’s nice to be selected early but in other ways the rivalry and competition means whoever goes to the Games will have a good chance of winning a medal.

“It keeps the excitement going but it’s also hard because you’ve got to peak at several events. Luckily I’ve got a good team around me.”

Pascoe’s 2012 campaign was almost snatched away when the 25-year-old, who has cerebral palsy, suffered a seizure during a fall in America and was advised not to drive or sail single-handed.

Just when she had accepted the dream was over and made alternative plans for the year, the neurologist reversed his decision and she was ‘back in the game’.

She added: “It was a hard Christmas when I thought it was all over, I only put a few people to tears.

“It’s getting quite exciting now, it should be an amazing year.

“Pretty much the whole of Weymouth and Portland seems to be supporting me – especially Weymouth Sailing Club and Castle Cove Sailing Club.

“For a month before the Games, the Paralympic team will be training in Falmouth because it will be so busy here.”

“I believe I can achieve selection but we’ll have to wait and see.”