Sailing: Dunross has eye on London

Former Rockingham resident and Olympic medalist Jamie Dunross has joined Rachael Cox to challenge for gold at the next Paralympics.

The duo are already in preparation for the 2012 London Paralympic Games and have started making modifications to their new SKUD, which was provided by the Royal Perth Yacht Club.

‘‘To really get a fast, effective yacht you need to make sure it’s all symmetrical,’’ Dunross said.

He also said as a quadriplegic, and with Cox classified as an incomplete tetraplegic, modifications had to be made that accommodated their disabilities.

Dunross said he initially did not intend to get involved in the Olympic campaign as he was still recovering from his solo circumnavigation of Australia, but his respect for team member Cox led to his decision.

‘‘She’s a very focused, loyal, dedicated person — to have somebody of that calibre on the boat with me is very positive,’’ he said.

Dunross said he was now fully focused on making it to the games and aimed to bring back gold for Australia.

He said their selection for the games would be based on how well they performed in four separate competitions over the next year, and although he labelled he and Cox as the underdogs, he was quietly confident of success.

Dunross described his decision to join Cox in the campaign as a new chapter in life and said he enjoyed competing in a sport that he loved.

‘‘For me it keeps me looking forward and focused and I just love the sport,’’ he said.

‘‘It’s almost away of life, it’s in my blood.’’