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Page last updated at 12:29 GMT, Monday, 22 December 2008

Yngling champions end partnership

Sarah Ayton, Sarah Webb, Pippa Wilson
Sarah Ayton, Sarah Webb and Pippa Wilson celebrate their Beijing win

Olympic gold medal-winners Sarah Ayton, Sarah Webb and Pippa Wilson will not race together again after their Yngling class was axed from the 2012 Games.

The trio won gold in Beijing but ended their partnership after the class was replaced in 2012 by Elliot 6m boats.

They will make a decision about their options for 2012 in the new year.

"As there's no fleet racing option for three women any longer that effectively means the end of the line for us as a team," said Ayton.

She added on BBC Radio Five Live: "The International Sailing Federation was really keen to get match racing in, which is one-on-one with supplied equipment, and this gives the countries who have not got such good financial backing a chance to compete on an even playing field.

606: DEBATE

"We've had a nice time to reflect on what we have achieved over the last three years and we are now looking forward to 2012 and what our options are as individuals.

"I only have only really got two options. The first being the 470 and the second the laser radial.

"At the moment the main thing for me is to try and secure sponsors and to go sailing in the two boats to see which one best suits.

"I am having time to think and making sure I make the right decision for the next three and a half years."

Ayton, 28, and Webb, 31, won gold in the Yngling class with Shirley Robertson at the Athens 2004 Games, but became an even more dominant force on the world circuit when Wilson, 22, replaced Robertson at the end of 2006.



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