MARY Rook received a huge boost in her efforts to make the Great Britain team for Rio 2016 when she and helm Tom Phipps won the Nacra 17 Olympic class national ranking event in Weymouth.

Lyme Regis Sailing Club member Rook and multiple world youth catamaran champion Phipps claimed first place ahead of Alicia Clifford and Tom Bruton, with Maddie Anderson and Patrick Harrison third.

It was a great start to the new season for Rook and Cornwall-born Phipps, who are currently training out of the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy.

“We had a great edge in speed over the others and this is something we have put time into developing,” said Rook.

“Our winter training will focus on improving this further in all the weather conditions for next year’s World Championships.

“This is the last push for our campaign to Rio and the competition is really heating up – 2015 will be the last year of competition before selection is made.”

Rook, who will make Portland her home during November, added: “It's important to focus on beating everyone this year, not just the other British boats, and we are looking to knock the French world champion off the top.”

The partnership between Rook and Phipps is really starting to blossom as they bid to qualify for the next Olympics in the mixed gender catamaran class.

Rook is relishing the thrill of sailing at high speed and her physique lends itself to the demands of Nacra 17 where upper body strength is essential.

As crew, she needs to hoist, drop and trim the spinnaker, trim the mainsheet and the jib, and haul the curved boards up and down.

The hard work she is putting in appears to be reaping rewards, though Rook still needs help with sponsorship if she wants to stay at the top of her class.

If anyone is able to assist her, visit mary rook.com for more information.