AS the Olympic 470 double-handed dinghy class was bringing gold to Great Britain in Rio, youth sailors were experiencing the extremes of conditions at the Welsh National Sailing Academy for the 420 Nationals.

And there was success for Frensham Sailing Club’s Thompson brothers, Ross and Johnny, at Plas Heli.

Sixteen-year-old Ross and new sailing partner Alex Smallwood, 17, from Datchet Water, took second place on the podium.

Johnny Thompson,14, and Will McMahon, 17, from South Cerney SC, finished 12th in the 42-boat fleet.

Race officer Stuart Childerley did an excellent job in achieving six races over two of the scheduled five days. Monday and Tuesday were plagued by so little wind that the boats never got off the beach.

To make the most of the early morning gradient breeze, Childerley opted for an 8am tally and 9am start on day three. Five races were held in very difficult conditions, including a 180-degree shift as the light sea breeze kicked in at around mid-day.

Day four was another breathless day on shore, but then, next day, the weather burst into life with a brisk 18 knots, gusting 25 knots, and forecast to build.

The fleet had another 9am start and completed one race before conditions worsened and the fleet returned to shore.

Ross and Johnny, from Thursley, who are sponsored by Sport Haslemere and MPI Brokers Travel, Ski and Sail Insurance, have sailed together as helm and crew over the last year and in the RYA British Youth sailing team, where they were 31st/68 and first GBR boat at the U17 World Championships in San Remo, Italy, in July, and 23rd/38 and second GBR boat at the Europeans on Lake Balaton in Hungary in early August.