The Men’s RS:X fleet start their Olympic campaign on Tuesday 31 July at 12:00 on the Weymouth Bay West Course. The fleet have a lay day on 3 August before racing resumes on 4 August. The Men’s RS:X will play to the Nothe Spectator area on 7 August where the gold medalists will be decided after the Medal Race.

British windsurf hopeful, Nick Dempsey – Bronze medal winner in Athens and fourth placed last time out in Beijing – explains the rules and format of the Olympic competition and how the course and weather conditions affect the final table. Team GB’s men’s RS:X class windsurfing video:

Nick Dempsey (GBR) is one of the most determined athletes in the fleet and as a Weymouth based lad he will know the waters better than anyone. The Brit won bronze at Athens 2004 but missed out on the medals in Beijing, finishing fourth. He won the RS:X Worlds at the same venue in 2009 and has finished on the podium at all eight of the senior regattas he has sailed in at Weymouth and Portland.

Julien Bontemps (FRA) comes into London 2012 as the Men’s RS:X World Champion having picked up gold in Cadiz, Spain in March. The Frenchman finished ninth at Athens 2004 and won silver at Beijing 2008 and he is aware of the threats posed at London 2012, “I think there are seven or eight guys who can win the medals,” said Bontemps. “I think I am part of those and that’s what we’ve been training towards. This is my third Olympics so I’m used to the pressure and to feel the entire nation behind me. A lot of people have confidence in you and it is a great feeling.”

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1. Olympic Windsurfer Bryony Shaw – Exclusive Video Training Diary