THE loved ones of Dorset’s Olympic hopefuls have been cheering them on from the sidelines.

The families of 2008 Bejing Bronze Olympic medallist Bryony Shaw and 2009 World Champion and 2004 Athens bronze medal winning windsurfer Nick Dempsey were watching proudly from the sailing academy as the fourth day of racing at Skandia Sail for Gold began.

Dempsey started the day in pole position after winning both of his races on Wednesday.

Dempsey, 30, was buoyed by his performance after what he deemed a disappointing outing on Tuesday.

He said: “It was absolutely beautiful – the sun was shining, the wind was blowing. “We had two cracking races in the morning and I got two first places so I was very, very happy with that.

“It was much better than Tuesday which was hugely frustrating and disappointing. I made some massive mistakes so it was really nice just to go out there and execute what I was hoping I could do.”

Dempsey’s wife double Olympic gold medallist Sarah Ayton and their young son Thomas were cheering him on.

Sarah Dempsey said that the competition was tight at the top.

Speaking yesterday she said: “This week is going well. Nick is doing well.

“Today is a big day for him. They were split into gold and silver fleet. So he needs a solid day.”

She added: “Nick is leading and so he has the yellow jersey on.

“There’s a bit of pressure but when you put it on you get a bit of confidence. It becomes tough when its half way through, you have to focus on each race as it comes and not think of the overall position. Keep your head ‘in the now’ as the psychologists say.”

Dempsey finished Thursday in third position overall.

Wyke Regis Olympic windsurfer Bryony Shaw finished yesterday in seventh position overall.

Cheering her on from the sidelines were her parents Hazel and Brian, who also help out as volunteers at Sail for Gold.

Proud father Brian said: “She has to be on the podium and always wants to be first, that’s what it’s all about and being on the podium with a medal of some description. That’s why they do the sport.

“We are very proud.”

Meanwhile Portland’s Paralympic Sonar team added another pole position to their results, leaving them in first place overall.

And in the 2.4mR class Portland’s Megan Pascoe is currently sitting in eighth place just ahead of Skandia Team GBR teammate Helena Lucas in ninth. Paralympic racing finishes today and the medal races of the Olympic classes are tomorrow.