WEYMOUTH-based Bryony Shaw, 470 duo Hannah Mills and Saskia Clark, and reigning world champion Nick Thompson headline the British entry at the ISAF Sailing World Cup Final, which kicks off in Abu Dhabi today.

The event is the culmination of the annual elite series following five worldwide stages, and sees world-class competition across the Olympic classes plus a Formula Kiteboard event.

The British contingent will join invited competitors from 38 other nations, with qualification for the finale coming from successes at previous World Cup series regattas or world ranking positions as at September 21.

Thompson contests the 20-strong Laser class, with Lorenzo Chiavarini also in action having earned his berth through victory at the Qingdao stage of the world series last month.

Hot off the back off her RS:X windsurfing world championship silver last week, Shaw will look to defend the title she won at the inaugural World Cup Final in Abu Dhabi last year.

Fellow world championship silver medallists Mills and Clark, based on Portland and in Weymouth respectively, will have their first taste of Abu Dhabi World Cup racing in the 470 Women’s event.

They are joined by Amy Seabright and Anna Carpenter, while Ed Wright will fly the flag in the Finn.

Alison Young and Hannah Snellgrove (Laser Radial), Neil Hunter-Rory Hunter and Jack Hawkins-Chris Thomas (49er), Tom Squires and Joe Bennett (RS:X Men’s) and Ollie Bridge (kiteboard) are the other British entrants.

Racing gets underway today and the final medal races are on Sunday.