Two aspiring champion sailors from Cornwall have become the youngest ever to join the ranks of the Olympic Development Squad.
Chris Thomas, 18, and sailing partner Jack Hawkins, also 18, are rapidly making names for themselves in international sailing circles.
Selection means the pair will now train alongside the squad who are preparing for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
Recently Chris and Jack finished third in the European Cup 49er Series and 1st in the Irish National Championships.
Chris, a Truro School sixth former, from St Mawes said realistically he and Jack, a student at Truro College, would be ready for the 2020 games. Chris, who is studying A-levels in geography, design technology and business studies, said: "It's a massive honour for us and we're both really excited to have been chosen."
His sailing career began at the age of just 11 years old when members of St Mawes Sailing Club offered free lessons to local children and he has been competing competitively for four years.
He said: "When I was a child I loved how fast the boat could whizz across the water.
"I love sailing and it was brilliant watching all the action at Weymouth last year during the Olympics and seeing Ben Ainslie do so well.
"To be part of this squad is just amazing.
"My ambition is to be a professional sailor."
