TWO Team GB sailors who learned their trade at the Royal Northern and Clyde Yacht Club in Rhu have announced their retirement from Olympic campaigning.

Charlotte Dobson and Luke Patience confirmed this week that they have called time on their Olympic careers following this year's Tokyo Games, which were carried over from 2020.

London 2012 silver medallist Patience and two-time Olympian Dobson - who finished sixth overall in the 49erFX standings in August with Saskia Tidey - missed out on medals in Japan, while team-mate Anna Burnet, from Shandon, won silver in the Nacra 17 mixed multi-hull category.

Patience previously revealed that his thoughts were turning to whether he’ll be better placed to add to the British medal haul at the Paris Games in 2024 as a coach than as a competitor.

Chris Grube, Patience's partner as the duo finished fifth in the men’s 470 class in the summer, has also announced his retirement from Olympic competition, along with Ben Saxton and Tokyo 2020 gold medallists Hannah Mills, Giles Scott and Stuart Bithell.

British Sailing Team boss Mark Robinson paid tribute to the group.

“All good things must come to an end, and as such these incredible athletes have taken the decision to step back from Olympic campaigning,” said Robinson, the RYA’s Olympic performance manager.

“These individuals have made such a huge impact on our sport, their achievements speak for themselves, and they’ve inspired countless youngsters to follow in their footsteps.

"I feel very proud to have led a team full of such great athletes, and those retiring will be sorely missed.

“However as a team we are well-prepared. Lots of our Tokyo team are going again, plus there are a whole host of talented sailors who’ve been waiting patiently in the wings to get their time to shine.

“With Paris 2024 less than three years away the British Sailing Team is full-steam ahead, with the number one goal of defending our title of the world’s most successful Olympic sailing team.”

READ MORE: Tokyo Olympics: Team GB sailors from Rhu and Shandon reflect on Games