VOLUNTEERS assisting at the Skandia Sail for Gold regatta have boosted the local economy by more than £100,000.

The Royal Yachting Association (RYA), organising the event with funding from UK Sport and key sponsor Skandia, has brought in around 350 volunteers and 50 staff to assist at this year’s major international event at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy.

They have been accommodated by dozens of borough guesthouses, hotels and holiday cottages including Hotel Rembrant, Portland Lodge, Moonfleet Manor, Flintstones Guest House, Oaklands Guest House, the Hotel Prince Regent, Leam House Bed and Breakfast, The Marina Court and Harbour Lights.

Last year's event boosted the local economy by £1million and Sail for Gold 2011 is bigger than ever.

Eleanor Black, RYA competition administrator, said their volunteer and staff hotel bill was more than £100,000.

She said: “When you think there’s also 1,050 sailors, their support teams and all the media, that’s a lot of people staying here, ordering packed lunches and having dinner out in the town.

“We’ve got volunteers from all over the United Kingdom, overseas and the local area.

“This regatta really wouldn’t run without them, we’ve got volunteers working in the race office, on the slipway to help with launching, tracking, tweeters, on the bridge doing radio operations, photo boat drivers, judges and jury, equipment inspection, race teams, mark layers and safety boat drivers.

“They’re all giving up their own time and it’s long days.

“People come year after year and it’s great when everybody gets to know each other.”

Beach crew volunteer Michael Gill, of Weymouth’s lifeboat station, and his team moved 700 boats on Tuesday morning.

He said: “It’s great fun and you’re walking round with world class sailors. You have a quick chat with them when they are getting on the water or coming back.

“It’s nice to be able to say you have seen them on the water and helped them.”

Second-time Sail for Gold volunteer and Weymouth Sailing Club member Sharon May said: “It’s a fantastic opportunity, I was here at the sailing academy with some pupils from St John’s Primary School when it was announced that we had won the bid.

“It was such an overwhelming experience, so exciting, and from that moment I was determined to be involved.”

Bridport’s Alan Morgan took holiday from his job as a service delivery manager for Dorset Fire and Rescue Service to volunteer.

He said: “I get a lot out of it to be honest and so do the people we support.”

American 49er sailor Jonny Goldsberry said: “We’ve been made very welcome. This is the best sailing facility I’ve ever been part of and I think it’s one of the best organised regattas of the year.”

The RYA encourages new volunteers to register, find out more at www.rya.org.uk