AFTER winning Olympic silver in the summer Luke Patience and his sailing partner, Stuart Bithell, have decided to go their separate ways as they plot for the Rio Olympics in 2016.

The sailor from Rhu and his English team mate, Bithell, had been together since 2009 however concerns over Bithell's size and weight ahead of the Rio games led to the decision to split. Patience explained:" Stuart and I have had an amazing journey, and I'm so proud to have stood on the podium with my mate this summer."

With 5'10" Bithell weighing over 70kgs the duo have decided to split to allow Bithell to move from the 470 class to the 49er class but Patience insists he is still looking forward to the Olympics in 2016, he said: "Although we won't be sailing together towards Rio, we're both so excited about the road ahead and want to thank everyone who's backed us, from the RYA and Skandia Team GBR, to our sponsors and supporters, to the kids at schools who've written to us.

"It really means a lot, and we hope to go one step higher, albeit separately, in four years' time."

The duo sailed together in the 470 class at the Olympics however they were one of the heavier teams and with weight being such an important factor, particularly at the Rio games, where light winds are anticipated Patience explained: "We've always been one of the heavier 470 teams on the circuit, and even with a four-year long rabbit food diet, we're still going to be naturally too heavy as a crew to realistically be threatening for gold in Rio."

5'5" Patience, who weighs around 58kgs will remain in the 470 class, and is weighing up his options for a best-fit crew who can help him achieve his gold-medal ambitions.