THURSLEY brothers Ross and Johnny Thompson have been selected for the GBR youth team to compete in the 2016 World Dinghy Sailing Championships.

Ross, 16, and younger brother Johnny, 13, who are both supported by Sport Haslemere ‘Create A Star’ bursaries, represent Frensham Pond Sailing Club and sail together as helm and crew in the international 420 Class (daughter dinghy of the Olympic 470).

The 420 Class Under-17 World Championships will be held in San Remo, Italy from July 15-23.

Eleven races at the RYA Youth National Championships at the Welsh National Sailing Academy, Plas Heli, from April 2-8, completed the 20-race qualifying series, following weekend regattas at Draycote Water and Royal Torbay.

The Thompsons qualified as second boy boat for the six-boat team (3 boy and 3 girl boats) at the World Championships.

Ross and Johnny have had successful dinghy sailing careers to date, competing in the Optimist, Cadet, Laser 4.7 and 420 Classes in RYA and GBR teams.

Ross sailed in the Cadet World Championships in 2014 at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, with another brother, Jake, as crew. He has since completed his transition to the 420 dinghy and in 2015 was the highest ranked helm of his age group.

Johnny, meanwhile, distinguished himself in his final year in the Optimist Class, representing Team GBR at the Naples Regatta in January 2015 and at the European Championships at Plas Heli in July last year.

GBR youth team selection includes RYA coached support at the 420 French Nationals in Brittany (July 6-10) and a summer half-term training camp.