HELENSBURGH will be represented by a trio of sailing stars at next year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo after the first batch of Team GB athletes were revealed.

Rhu sailor Luke Patience and fellow Royal Northern and Clyde Yacht Club member Charlotte Dobson have been selected for the 2020 games alongside Eilidh McIntyre, whose father Mike attended Hermitage Academy and won Olympic gold in the 1988 Seoul games in the Star class, alongside Bryn Vaile.

Patience, a London 2012 silver medallist, will partner Rio 2016 crew Chris Grube in the 470 men’s class in his third consecutive Olympic Games.

He posted on Twitter after the squad announcement: “19 years ago, I watched my first Olympics, and here I am going to my third in a row! I couldn’t be prouder. Thank you to all on that mad journey, and thank you Team GB. Tokyo will be massive.”

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Dobson will return in the 49erFX, joined by Saskia Tidey who represented Ireland in Rio before joining the British team in 2017, while McIntyre, in her Games debut, will team up with Hannah Mills, who is aiming to become the most successful female Olympic sailor of all time by defending her crown in the 470 women’s event.

The pair have rarely been off the podium since joining forces two years ago, with their success culminating in victory at the 2019 World Championships and silver at the Ready Steady Tokyo test event this summer.

Also making the 12-person team are Giles Scott, Dylan Fletcher, Stuart Bithell, Alison Young, Emma Wilson and Tom Squires.

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Mark Robinson, Team GB sailing team leader, said: “These athletes have all proven themselves in their class and every single one of them is capable of returning from Tokyo 2020 with a medal in their hands.

“There is great experience within the sailing team, from our Rio 2016 gold medallists back to defend their crowns, to experienced Olympians who know what it will take to taste victory in Tokyo.

“We are also delighted to welcome new talent who have immense potential towards achieving Team GB’s objectives in this cycle and beyond.

“Selection at this point of the cycle will allow these athletes to have maximum preparation time, putting Team GB in the best possible position to rule the waves.”