In 2008 the Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta welcomed a record 240 boats from 11 countries and the event is expected to go from strength to strength in the lead up to the 2012 Olympic Games with organizers expecting entries to double to around 500 boats in 2009.

Whilst Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta is a relatively new event, many people will remember the hugely successful and popular Weymouth Olympic Week which ran from 1972 until 1988. Based from Weymouth Beach there was sailing for all the Olympic sailing events. The present Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta, however, is being run on a totally different scale from WPNSA.

In 2009, Skandia Sail for Gold will start three days after the RS:X World Championships finish with racing scheduled to start on Monday 14 September with Medal Racing on Saturday 19 September. Registration will be on Saturday and Sunday 12-13 September with entry through http://www.ryaracingevents.org.uk/ - competitors are asked to enter in good time as there will be no late entries allowed.

There will be a tented village to add to the atmosphere and a 'spectator day' on Saturday 19 September, with large screens transmitting live pictures and tracking of the racing, with commentary from the water and on the shore for the Medal Races.

Skandia have become a renowned supporter of sailing events in Great Britain. As well as being title sponsor for the Sail for Gold Regatta since its inception in 2006, they also sponsored Cowes Week for 14 years.

UK Sport is the other major contributor to the Regatta with money coming from UK National Lottery funding.