Two-time Olympian Saskia Tidey teamed up with 20-year-old Freya Black (pictured below) in the 49erFX after her Tokyo partner Charlotte Dobson put her Olympic career on hold.

National champion in the 29er class, Black returns to single sculls racing after competing in the mixed 470 class for the past two years for a tilt at Paris 2024.

Tidey, a member of the Royal Irish Yacht Club, was forced out of the Irish squad after Rio and spoke about the lack of home opportunities.

As regular Afloat readers will know, Dobson and Tidey had a huge lead in the early stages of the Tokyo regatta before finishing sixth overall.

“Freya is a terrific young sailor who seamlessly transitioned to FX from the 29er/470 class,” said Tidey, 28, from Sandycove on Dublin Bay, but now based full-time in Portland, Dorset .

Tidey told Afloat: “There was a shimmering feeling in the boat when we first sailed. I left the boat park that day, very motivated and eager to see more. Our attitudes, our beliefs, and our raw competitiveness blended so well from the get-go. I truly believe in our potential to represent Great Britain at Paris 2024 and challenge medal performances towards LA 2028.”

Black, from Goudhurst, Kent, added: “Partnering with Sas in a 49erFX is a huge opportunity for me to make the jump to a team that has the experience and knowledge for a medal-worthy campaign. By bringing together Sas’ epic crew skills and my experience in 470 racing and boat feeling, we see the potential for a great team.

“It feels good to be back in the harness and wearing the BST bib again. I’ve thought a lot about why I want to continue developing as a world-class sailor with the TSB. I still have the passion for pressure and the fire in me to push further.

“When the opportunity to sail with Freya Black presented itself, I was so excited to take it. Freya is a great young sailor who made the seamless transition to the FX from the 29er/470 class. There was a twinkling feeling in the boat when we first sailed. I left the boat park that day, highly motivated and eager to see more. Our attitudes, beliefs and raw competitiveness are so well mixed from the start. I truly believe in our potential to represent Great Britain at Paris 2024 and challenge medal performances towards LA 2028.

“Currently we are in training in Lanzarote. This year it is about playing with the boat as a new team and learning from our mistakes. With the cycle being so short until Paris 2024, we will draw making the most of every hour we have to ensure we qualify GB for the Olympics I’m honored to have the opportunity to challenge for a third edition of the Olympic Games in 49erFX and be back with the UK team of sailing.

The first major event of 2022 for the British Sailing Team will be the Princess Sofia Regatta in Palma, Mallorca in early April.