DAILY Echo columnists Lucy Macgregor, Annie Lush and Kate Macgregor have been back in Dorset as they build towards their Olympics challenge.

The sailing stars will be aiming to strike gold when they represent Team GB in the women’s Match Racing at this summer’s Games.

Echo readers can continue to follow the progress of the Match Race Girls every step of the way via their At The Helm diary.

The trio returned to their home county to mark the 100 days Olympics countdown in Weymouth, where the Poole-born hopefuls will take to the water come July. Lush is hoping to make local knowledge count when the sporting spectacular begins.

She said: “Having our home papers, businesses, friends and family here for our Olympic build-up is so different. We never get that normally and it is a once-in-a-life-time event.

“It makes it really special – we want to perform for ourselves but also for all our supporters.”

The 31-year-old is hoping Dorset can reap the rewards of hosting part of the Olympics.

She added: “We’re really proud to be from Dorset and Poole, we love to travel the world and to come back here.

“I really hope the Olympics does something good for the area and that all the businesses benefit. I know the Olympics cause a lot of problems and hold-ups but I’ve been to two Games and the atmosphere that gets created is amazing.

“Weymouth and Portland will never have so many international visitors from all around the world in any other circumstances. It’s great. This is a venue to be proud of and one to show off as well.”

The Match Race Girls will now be based in Weymouth in the build up to the Games, having trained in Spain during recent months.

They continued their Olympics preparations by competing at the World Cup event in Hyeres, France this week.