British Sailing Team's new training base shelved

The RYA said with the new build dropped, it will invest in a major upgrade of its existing facilities at Weymouth and Portland

Plans to build a new training base for the British Sailing Team have been abandoned due to the rise in build costs.

The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) wanted to build the centre within the grounds of Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA) in Portland, Dorset.

But the RYA said rising construction costs had "prompted us to re-evaluate how best to invest" and it would instead revamp its current facilities.

The new centre, given planning permission last year, was intended to provide a cutting-edge base for British sailing and bring together sailors, coaches and support staff in one place.

The new centre had been planned to go up in the grounds of the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy

The RYA said: "With the continued support of Sport England and UK Sport, we are moving ahead with a major redevelopment of our existing technical and human science units.

"By strengthening and modernising our current facilities, we are building on a proud legacy while creating a more sustainable, future-ready base for performance and athlete development."

It added the upgrade work would start in December "marking the start of a new chapter that will enhance our ability to support Olympic and performance sailors for generations to come".