CHAMPAGNE Sailing conditions and two major forthcoming regattas have attracted a wealth of top sailing talent to the borough.

For Weymouth Olympian Saskia Clark and her new helm Hannah Mills the chance to test their mettle against the world’s best on home waters has come at the perfect time.

The 470 Girls, who joined 2012 campaign forces two months ago following the retirement of Saskia’s former teammate Sarah Ayton, recently celebrated their first World Cup silver at the French Olympic Sailing Week in Hyeres.

Yet despite being jubilant, the duo know they face a tough challenge to prove their potential in time for British team selection.

Next month’s Skandia Sail for Gold and the Weymouth and Portland International Regatta 2011 are both crucial dates in the diary.

Saskia, 31, of Wyke Regis, said: “It’s hugely exciting to win our first silver in Hyeres and for Hannah it was her first 470 medal in the senior squad.

“It was important for us to prove we can do it and that our reasons for sailing together weren’t misplaced.

“We’ve got a lot of potential in the team and we definitely didn’t feel like we sailed to the best of our ability – it’s nice to win a silver feeling like you’ve got more in the tank.”

She added: “We had a pretty stressful start to the regatta and got quite a major hole in the boat which hit our results for the first day.

“At that point it felt like a lot of things were conspiring against us but we got our heads down, sailed well and were pleased to come away with a silver medal.”

Team Volvo for Life member Saskia brings experience to the partnership, having competed and finished sixth at the Beijing Games with former helm Christina Bassadone, while Hannah, 22, of Rodwell, Weymouth, is a rising star from the youth squad.

Saskia said: “We’ve definitely got a busy month ahead and we’ll most likely stay training in Weymouth although we might compete at the world cup regatta in Holland.

“There’re so many foreigners over in Weymouth that it’s quite possible the training fleet here will be better than the racing fleet at the Holland regatta.”

Saskia, who lives with her Olympic gold medallist boyfriend Paul Goodison, is enjoying the novelty of being able to campaign on their doorstep.

She said: “It’s fantastic, we’ve got our home comforts and can see family and friends.

“It means we can have a bit of a life as well without feeling so isolated but we also need to get down to business.

“Sail for Gold is a huge regatta and the beginning of the Olympic trials for international teams.

“Everyone wants to put in as much time on the waters here as they can, just like we do.”