BOROUGH sailors are celebrating after being among the first confirmed names in Team GB’s 550-strong squad for the 2012 Games.

Weymouth’s Olympic bronze medallist windsurfers Nick Dempsey and Bryony Shaw, Olympic gold medallist Laser sailor Paul Goodison and 470 dinghy sailors Hannah Mills and Saskia Clark are among the 11 sailors confirmed in the line-up.

Britain’s sailing legend Ben Ainslie, who was based on Portland in preparation for this year’s Skandia Sail for Gold regatta and Olympic test event on borough waters is on course to fight for his fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal.

Dorset’s Match Race Girls Lucy Macgregor, Kate Macgregor and Annie Lush have been chosen for to represent the country in the Elliott 6m Women's Match Racing event, while Sherborne’s Olympic gold medalist Andrew Simpson and helm Iain Percy are going into the Star men’s keelboat competition as defending champions.

For the full story and reaction see tomorrow’s Dorset Echo.