“WE ARE your sailing team, please show your support!”

That’s the message from the British squad who will be celebrating the start of the home Games with Weymouth and Portland residents tomorrow night.

Team leader Stephen Park, who has led the country’s sailors to success at the past two Olympic Games, said the local support would be like having an ‘extra man on the team’.

He said: “We’ve had great support from people in Weymouth and Portland.

“It’s been fantastic to see the posters put up outside borough schools and community centres welcoming not just the British team but sailors from around the world.

“Unfortunately the torch relay was very wet but we were impressed by the number of people who turned out.

“We really hope a lot of people will turn out to the beach Live site for the opening ceremony celebrations. We’re going to take the team down there and introduce them to the local public.

“I hope it helps the people in Weymouth and Portland to really start their Olympics and to get behind Team GB and cheer the sailors and other sports on.

“Most of these guys live in and around Weymouth and Portland area – they’re your sailing team.

“I hope the people of Weymouth and Portland get behind the team and give us a great big cheer. That support will go a long, long way and be the extra man on the team.”

Mr Park, who is known as Sparky, added that he felt ‘confident’ his ‘strongest ever’ squad could retain Britain’s 12-year reign as the most successful Olympic sailing nation.

Weymouth’s Olympic gold medallist Laser sailor Paul Goodison , Poole’s Match Racing sisters Lucy and Kate Macgregor and crewmate Annie Lush also attended yesterday’s press conference.

Helm Lucy Macgregor of the Dorset born and bred Match Race Girls, said: “None of us have experienced the Games before and everything that comes with it.

“The home support has been incredible – we’re completely taken aback by it.

“It’s definitely spurred us on, not just in the last month but in the last three years.

“People are always asking how it’s going.

“It’s all been positive.

“You get dark days in a four year campaign.

“We’ve had our ups and downs and to know people are supporting you is a great incentive.

“I think the atmosphere will be great.”

Defending Olympic Laser champion Goodison, of Wyke Regis, played down rumours that he had a grudge against his biggest rival, Australian contender Tom Slingsby.

He said: “The aim is to win the Olympics and to that I’ve got to sail my very best, not just to beat Tom but the 48 other boats.

“It’s a massive confidence boost to be sailing on home waters.”

A dozen Team GB’s sailors, including triple Olympic gold medallist Ben Ainslie , will take to the stage at the Weymouth Beach Live Site tomorrow evening between 7.50pm-8.10pm, just before the main opening ceremony show is broadcast from London on large screens.

ROYAL VISITOR ABOARD SECURITY WARSHIP

A WARSHIP providing Olympic security to Weymouth and Portland got a royal visitor in the final stages of its preparations.

Prince Michael of Kent, the Commodore-in-Chief of the Maritime Reserves, stepped aboard HMS Bulwark, an amphibious assault warship.

Three officers from the Royal Navy Reserve shared their experiences of specialist duties with Prince Michael as he toured the ship.

Guests from the Naval Supporting Charities also came on board the vehicle deck to see the marine equipment. Sailors and Royal Marines explained the static displays from every department on the ship including the ship’s modern defensive systems, boats, vehicles and even the historic field gun stowed on board.