Sebastien Chastin trains at Ardrossan wind farm

Sebastien Chastin has been training for many months on the dunes of Troon and Ardrossan for the 600km wind-powered event across the Sahara.

The 33-year-old will pit himself against 40 of the world's most experienced kiting pilots.

The Frenchman, who enjoys extreme sports, is hoping to raise �3,000 for the Yorkhill Children's Foundation.

He is Scotland's only representative in the 2005 Transat des Sables, a nine-day wind powered race which begins on Saturday.

He will be supported by Gabe Wortman who will provide logistical and technical help for "Team Embrace Wind".

Sebastien will use high-powered traction kites and a three-wheeled buggy to pull himself across sand dunes, rough tracks and wild desert landscapes.

The Sahara is one of the most difficult environments on earth to kite in because it is hot, dry and dusty Sebastien Chastin

The weather promises to be harsh. He will battle against 40 degree sunshine during six or seven-hour days and sub-zero temperatures at night.

Sebastien, who has lived in Glasgow for eight years, has kite-skiied 400km across the Antarctic and across ice-caps in Greenland and spent six weeks kite-boarding across Iceland in 2004.

He has put himself through a training regime that includes daily visits to the gym and three kite-surfing and boarding sessions each week on the beach.

His venture is being supported by Embrace the Revolution, a pro-wind energy group, and he is being sponsored by the British Wind Energy Association and Scottish Renewables.

Sebastien is hoping to raise �3,000 for charity

Sebastien said: "Team Embrace Wind have been planning this trip for almost two years and can't wait to get out there - it's the adventure of a lifetime.

"I am delighted to be supported by Embrace the Revolution and to promote wind energy.

"The Sahara is one of the most difficult environments on earth to kite in because it is hot, dry and dusty with some of the fastest changing wind conditions in the world.

"Dunes can rise 100 metres and temperatures can reach 40 degrees. Our success will all depend on how long we can keep going and how well we can navigate."

He is supporting the Glasgow-based Yorkhill children's charity because his son Marius was cared for at the Queen Mother's Hospital after he was born prematurely.