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Page last updated at 15:25 GMT, Thursday, 28 May 2009 16:25 UK

Cornish sailors selected for GBR

James Grant & Robin Elsey
James Grant and Robin Elsey both train with Restronguet Sailing Club

Six young South West sailors have qualified for the GBR team ahead of both the World and European Laser Radial Youth Championships.

The European Championships are held in Denmark at the start of July, with the World Championships hosted by Japan between 3-10 August.

Robin Elsey from Restronguet Sailing Club said selection comes on the back of months of hard work.

"We spent the whole winter training at Weymouth with the team," he said.

"We also go to the gym a lot and go sailing most of the weekend and on Wednesdays if we can," he told BBC Spotlight.

Elsey harbours Olympic dream

Joining Elsey in the Under-19 boys squad are James Grant, who also trains at Restronguet, Max Robinson from Plymouth Youth and Tom Rainey from Starcross Sailing Club in Devon.

In the Under-19 girls squad Kate Sargent from Saltash will compete alongside Sarah Butterfield who regularly trains around Plymouth.

The South West has produced many champion sailors in the past, including three time Olympic Gold medal-winner, Ben Ainslie.

Elsey added that competition for places in the GBR youth team remains incredibly tough.

"We've got top sailors in Cornwall and all around the country, we're one of the best nations in the world for sailing," he said.

"I'd like to try for the Olympics one day, but it's so hard to get selected."



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