A NATIONAL Sailing regatta for preparatory schools will be attracting twice the number of pupils and doubling its races for its second year.

The annual Independent Association of Preparatory Schools (IAPS) National Sailing Regatta will be expanding massively when it returns to the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy next week.

Held in partnership with SailLaser, Weymouth, the two-day event will see 66 youngsters competing in Thursday’s under-11 category races, followed by 72 competitors, aged under-13, on Friday.

Last year 60 students from IAPS schools across the United Kingdom took part in the inaugural regatta.

Event organiser Mark McCloskey, who is IAPS co-ordinator for watersports and Leweston Prep School teacher, is delighted with the massive response.

He said: “I am very pleased with the way that the IAPS National Sailing Regatta has developed over the past 12 months.

“This is only the second year we have run the event and it has already doubled in entry size.

“It is open to all keen young sailors from IAPS schools nationwide and this year we’re pleased to welcome nearly 140 sailors representing over 40 schools from as far afield as Scotland, Norfolk, London and the Isle of Man.

“Local IAPS schools are also very well represented, with Leweston Prep School, near Sherborne being named as the official IAPS host school of the event.”

He added: “Everyone will be pushing hard with an eye to winning the prestigious, hand- crafted under-11 and under-13 IAPS sailing trophies.”

Emma Dawson, chief instructor and community sports coach at SailLaser, Weymouth, said: “The IAPS Regatta is now in its second year, and is bigger and better than ever.

“This year the IAPS Regatta is taking place over two days and, dependant on weather, the aim is to have all competitors taking part on one large race course in the morning, then the group will be split into a gold and silver fleet, who will race separately in the afternoon on two race courses.”

The regatta may also include surprise guests from the Skandia Team GBR squad, who are currently training on borough waters ahead of the Sail for Gold regatta, to present medals to the winning teams.

There are still a couple of spaces for the under-11 category, however the under-13 category is fully booked. Call SailLaser on 0845 337 3214.

The onwater action begins each day at 10.30am, spectators are welcome to watch the racing action from the shoreline or online at www.intheelements.co.uk/blog/webcam/weymouth-portland-webcam/