Helensburgh sailor Charlotte Dobson has been named in the British team for the Rio Olympics, which are due to start in 150 days’ time.
Charlotte Dobson and Sophie Ainsworth, who finished fifth at the 2015 World Championships, will make their Olympic debuts in the 49erFX – a new event for Rio.
But there has been a blow for Luke Patience, from Rhu, who won a silver medal in the London Games.
A statement today said the British Olympic Association, in conjunction with the Royal Yachting Association, had ‘made the difficult decision to deselect’ the 470 men’s pairing of Luke and Elliot Willis.
“Due to Elliot’s ongoing treatment for bowel cancer, as a two-person crew, they are unfortunately unable to follow the combined training programme required to maximise their chances of success in Rio,” the statement added.
Stephen Park, also from Helensburgh, is RYA Olympic manager and Team GB sailing team leader.
He said: “It’s fantastic to be naming some new first time Olympians to be joining the team already selected, and fantastic that Nick Dempsey will have the opportunity to try and complete his medal set at his fifth Olympic Games.
“The circumstances surrounding the deselection of Luke and Elliot are obviously disappointing for everyone.
“However, as a team we knew we would be set a number of challenges in this journey to Rio 2016 and this is just one we have to deal with along the road. Hopefully this doesn’t mark the end of Elliot’s Olympic journey and we look forward to seeing him back in the boat soon.”
Selection trials in the men’s 470 event will continue.
Charlotte Dobson, aged 29, said: “It’s absolutely incredible, it has been a long time coming.
“ have done two cycles as the bridesmaid in a boat on my own, and this time it’s so amazing to be the bride eventually.
“It’s just really cool to have done it with Soph in a team, it almost makes it feel a little bit more special being able to share it with somebody.
“You see how once people are selected they slightly change almost and I think when I woke up this morning it didn’t feel so much of a personal challenge any more.
“It’s a personal ambition to win a gold medal but it is more of an honour, a lot of people are behind you in the British Team and it’s for Queen and country. It feels like a lot of responsibility, for all the people that haven’t been selected and people have got selected in the past, to make them proud.”
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