The first venue for the London 2012 Olympics to be completed has been unveiled by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA) in Dorset.

New, enhanced sailing facilities at the WPNSA, including a permanent 250m (820ft) slipway and race-boat parking, will be used for both Olympic and Paralympic sailing events in four years time. Work at the adjoining Portland Marina, which will also be used in 2012, is currently ongoing and is reported to be ahead of schedule to provide berthing and land-based facilities.

Sebastian Coe, chair of the London 2012 Organising Committee, said: "The ODA's completion of construction work on our world-class sailing venue, three and a half years before the event, is a major milestone on our journey to 2012. "We have put athletes at the heart of the 2012 Games and the facilities at Weymouth and Portland will provide competitors from all round the world the best possible arena for medal-winning performances."

The new sailing facilities at the WPNSA is the first phase of a wider regeneration project. The South West Regional Development Agency has appointed Dean and Reddyhoff Marinas to develop and operate a new 560-berth commercial marina at Osprey Quay; 250 of which will be used during the 2012 Olympics. It is due to be completed in April 2009. It was also announced by the ODA that the National Lottery has raised half of its £750m target for the Games, which will be invested in new facilities and support infrastructure at London 2012.

Image: London 2012