TOP medal hopefuls from the Swiss Sailing Team are looking for a dream house to rent for the 2012 Olympic Games.

Switzerland’s two best Star sailors and their support crew will be housed separately with their crew during the borough’s sailing events to boost their chances of success.

The rest of the team will be accommodated with the other international competitors at the Olympic village, at Officers Field, Portland.

Rainer Staub, chief executive officer of the Swiss Team, said: “We’re looking to rent a house for a couple of months in 2012 for training and then the whole of the Olympic Games.

“We have a team of two athletes, two coaches and a technician.

“These are the guys in the Star men’s keelboat class who have the potential for a realistic medal even though Switzerland is not a sailing nation.

“Preferably we would like to be able to reach the academy by bicycle, we don’t want to have to come through the traffic.

“We need a five-bedroom house, preferably with wooden floors not carpets, a kitchen and a living room.

“It would be great if there was space for cars.”

Ideally, the team want the house to be away from noisy roads and within one-and-a-half miles of the sailing academy.

Mr Staub added: “Switzerland is not attached to the sea, the youth teams sail on the lakes and when they want to get international experience they have to go to Italy, France, England, Spain and Portugal.

“We’re still proud to have some of the best sailors in the world, especially in the Star boat.”

Mr Staub said this year’s Skandia Sail for Gold regatta had been ‘challenging.’ He said: “The one who wins in Weymouth is a real champion.

“It’s one of the most complex sailing areas, with very shifting winds and currents with choppy waves.

“There are so many influences from the weather it makes it very difficult for the athletes.”

Howard Legg, borough council spokesman for partnerships and special projects, said: “The borough council would like to extend a very warm welcome to all of our visiting sailing teams.

“It’s important that all international teams who train in and visit the borough have an enjoyable stay; not only to help their training but also to provide a boost to businesses and the economy.

“Officers from the council are always on hand to provide advice.”

If you have a house for rent ‘at a reasonable price’ email Rainer at rainer.staub@swiss-sailing-team.ch