THE ISAF Sailing World Cup series returns to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic venue of Weymouth and Portland this week.

Some 76 British athletes, including Olympic and Paralympic medallists, are set to compete across the 13 classes, plus an invitational kiteboard event, over five days of racing on the revamped world tour.

Olympic bronze medallist Bryony Shaw, who hails from Weymouth, is excited to welcome an elite world event back to her home waters again.

“Weymouth is my home, my parents live there and they loved the whole buzz of the Olympics and having all the people there," said the 31-year-old.

"So the fact there is a truly world class event with the best sailors in the world coming back to Weymouth and Portland is just amazing.

“The event will be a great showcase for the sport in the UK and us as athletes, and it will also provide the opportunity for people to come to the venue and rub shoulders with some of the best sporting talent and see them doing their thing."

Shaw will compete in the RS:X women’s windsurfing class, with male counterpart and fellow Weymouth local Nick Dempsey also racing on the waters which saw him clinch silver in 2012.

Portland-based Giles Scott will spearhead the British challenge in the Finn class, still with an 18-month winning streak to his name in the men’s heavyweight dinghy event.

Three British crews will contest the 470 Women’s event, including Olympic silver medallists Hannah Mills and Saskia Clark, plus Sophie Weguelin and Eilidh McInytre, as well as the duo of Amy Seabright and Anna Carpenter, who ensured a British one-two at the Delta Lloyd Regatta last week.

In the 470 Men’s event, Luke Patience and Elliot Willis have World Cup gold and bronze under their belts from the Miami and Hyeres events earlier this year, so will be keen to continue their podium run, while Alison Young is expected to challenge in the Laser Radial class.

Helena Lucas, 2012 Paralympic gold medallist, will have fond memories of Portland Harbour as she prepares to race in the 2.4mR class this week.

Paralympic SKUD bronze medallists Alexandra Rickham and Niki Birrell are also in action, with SKUD newcomers Will Street and Portland’s Megan Pascoe extending their experience in the two-person Paralympic class into a third regatta.

Racing gets underway on Wednesday with the Paralympic classes concluding on Saturday and the final medal races for the Olympic classes on Sunday.