Download a bigger map of Weymouth and Portland here.

Where will the sailing Olympics take place?
Although
most of the national teams are based in Portland, in the National
Sailing Academy and the neighbouring Olympic village, viewing and public
access is centred on Weymouth. There are five courses, three in
Weymouth Bay, one in Portland Harbour and another, the Medal Course, to
the western end of Weymouth Bay under Nothe Gardens.

When?
29 July – 11 August 2012. Race times are approximately noon to 1800.
Paralympics from 1 – 6 September 2012

Will sailing areas be closed?
Both
Weymouth Bay and Portland Harbour remain open 24/7 and the course areas
are closed only during racing hours. There is access in and out to
moorings, marinas and other non- race areas at all times.

Can any boat access these?
Only
boats with permits: ie pre- booked for visitor moorings or approved
existing berth/mooring holders. Security officers will patrol a two-mile
buffer zone on a transit between Grove Point and Durdle Door. Permit
carriers only will be permitted passage through to the marked access
points and fairways.

How can I get a permit?
Anyone considering visiting by boat should register their interest now.
The number and size of berths has not yet been agreed, but by
pre-registering you will be added to the mailing list for details. Most
visitors will anchor at the east end of the bay; superyachts will moor
towards Portland with, it is hoped, some alongside berthing.

Is it worth applying?
Visitor
moorings will not provide much ringside viewing, although some will
have a partial view of the inner Eastern course – and will be open to
the unpleasantness of easterlies should they blow. But you can enjoy the
spirit and say:‘I was there’ and then jump in the tender and head for
the Festival Village.

Where can I view the racing for free?
The
prime site for general viewing will be the Festival Village to the
western end of Weymouth’s main beach, where there will be a big screen
with live BBC link and planned local live filming and commentary. This
area will feature a mix of Olympic-based activities and interests, from
food and theatre through to ‘have-a-go sports’ and evening fireworks. Up
to 60,000 visitors are expected daily.

Longsighted folk, with
big binos, laptop and remote internet connection, may consider viewing
from the elevated locations above Ringstead or Osmington Mills (parking
at both, café at Ringstead and great pub – Smugglers – at Osmington).
But the closest competitor will be a mile or so away. Bowlease, a little
closer to town (Spyglass pub and Lookout café) is another possible.
For the record, 49ers have national flags on their kites, so you may be
able to pick out the order round the leeward mark, but Lasers have tiny
identifying flags.

The Council is keen to point out that
facilities are zero on the coastal path and beach viewing is their
firmly preferred option.

South of the town toward Portland, the
shoreside around Sandsfoot Castle, height 50ft, presents a fair
perspective of the inner course. The Portland Harbour course is also in
good proximity to the Castle Cove Sailing Club moorings further round.
Much of the walkway round to Portland is in lock-down for security, so
viewing of the Olympic facilities at the National Sailing Academy and
the Olympic village will not be possible, but the first part of the
foreshore remains open with Ferrybridge Inn, toilets and café. The road
to Portland remains open.

What about ticketed viewing?

Ticket sales have closed,
but the ticketed viewing for up to 4,500 daily visitors is all within
Nothe Gardens, one mile to the south of Weymouth town centre. Access out
to Nothe is by foot, bike or shuttle bus. The viewing area (bring your
own chairs, blankets and picnic) overlooks just one of the five courses:
the Medal Course.

During preliminary race days this course will
be used by one or two of the fleets, including the women’s Elliots,
49ers and windsurfers; other fleets will be decided after the test
Olympics regatta, 31 July – 13 August 2011.