A Falmouth athlete's bid to represent Great Britain in the Olympic Games could hardly be described as plain sailing.

Tom Phipps, aged 26, has to find funds for a new boat after the rules of his class changed, but the Falmouth man is no stranger to turbulent waters when it comes to qualification.

“It has not been the easiest path in trying to reach the Olympics, but as the saying goes, if it’s easy, it’s not worth doing," he told Packet Sport.

"Before London 2012 they dropped my class altogether from the games and in 2016 I had to contend with lots of crew changes. For Tokyo 2020, I have to change the boat!”

He is delighted to have forged an excellent relationship with sailing partner Nikki Boniface, a 23 year old from near Brighton, which has brought some much-needed stability to his progress.

“We get on like a house on fire, which you have to do because you spend an awful lot of time together, training and competing in the boat."

Sometimes they meet at UK sailing's headquarters in Weymouth, or occasionally they will train together at Restronguet Sailing Club in Mylor, where the country's most decorated sailor Sir Ben Ainslie learned his trade back in the early 1990s.

The pair are currently in warmer climes, in Cadiz, Spain, training with the Great Britain team, which comprises around 60 sailors.

"All the GB team members get on well but there is only one pair from each class that is selected for the Olympics, so it is a slightly strange feeling knowing that we're going to be competing against them nearer the qualification time," said Tom.

For the moment they will continue to train on their current boat, but will need to raise an eye-watering £28,000 to buy a an updated hydrofoil version.

“The new boats are faster and more exciting, so I will have to develop new techniques and styles in order to bring them to fruition,” he said.

Tom, who began sailing at the age of five, has twice won the ISAF Youth Gold Medal in 2004 and 2006, but an Olympic medal remains his ultimate goal.

Tom and Nikki will have to raise the £28,000 in instalments and to kick-start the effort, they are hosting a launch party on Saturday, February 25 at Castaways restaurant in Mylor Harbour.

The evening comprises a three-course meal, a campaign presentation, a fund-raising auction and music. Tickets are £35 and can be booked by calling 01326 376191.