Going to the Olympics has been Helensburgh's Charlotte Dobson's highlight of her sailing career so far, and she believes she can bring home a gold medal in the 49er FX class.

She will be paired with Sophie Ainsworth, with their sailing class due to get underway tomorrow [Friday], with the preliminaries running till next Tuesday.

Dobson, 29, narrowly missed out on qualification for Beijing 2008 and London 2012, having previously competed as a junior optimist and in the laser radial classes.

Speaking to the Royal Yacht Association (RYA), about not making the previous Olympic events, she said: “The best part of my sailing career to date is going to Rio, no doubt, and we're in a good spot, we're in a good spot to bring a gold medal home.

“ I think it felt like such a huge amount of time and effort had gone into it and to not be able to create the sail I needed to create was really disappointing. It was a dark time.

“Instantly moving into the FX, I love the boat, I love sailing with another person.”

And her partner Ainsworth, who she won the final Sailing World Cup with before the games, is also optimistic of their chances as they look to bring home a medal for Team GB.

Ainsworth said: “ I won't give up, I will keep going till that very end even when things don't look that great.

“We're hoping we can embrace it, and actually use the Olympic experience and buzz to put us through that pressure we're not not going to ignore it but but we are their to do a job”

And Dobson believes the pair compliment each other well, and is hoping that she does not get overwhelmed by the occasion, and that she can channel that into the perfect sail.

Dobson added: “For my strengths are her weaknesses and where her strengths are are my weaknesses.

“I see the Games as this amazing opportunity rather than this terrifying event that you've kind of got to deliver at.

“It's quite overwhelming if you think about it too much, because it's been such a long journey and because there has been a few real horrible setbacks.

“I 100% believe we can win a medal in Rio, and Sophie believes 125 per cent we can win a medal gold medal in Rio.”