BURY sailor Anna Carpenter has set a course for Tokyo 2020, despite a disappointing recent result at this month's World Championships in Greece.

The 23-year-old former St Gabriel's High School pupil finished eighth in the 470 class alongside partner Amy Seabright.

They had hoped for a higher-placed finish after coming fourth at the European Championships in May.

But their chances of a podium were effectively ended in the fourth leg of the 12-race series, after the pair suffered a contentious disqualification.

"We are certain we did not break the rules," said Carpenter, who honed her skills on the water at Elton Sailing Club.

"But the jury's decision is final and we got the equivalent of last place in that race.

"It's possible to discard one race result over the 12 legs, but we let it affect us a bit too much and sailed far too conservatively, scared of getting another disqualification.

"After the third day we were 12th overall, but we manage to sort out our racing and pulled it back as best we could, finishing the regatta with a third in the final fleet race and a fifth in the double points medal race on the last day."

Carpenter and her team-mate, who she met while studying for a degree in history at the University of Bristol, hope to put that experience to good use as they launch their challenge to make the British fleet for the next Olympic Games.

They have their work cut out, after Rio gold medallist Hannah Mills announced her intention to compete in the 470 class at Tokyo, but the Bury sailor is adamant they can beat her onto the team.

"Only one boat per nation can qualify and Hannah's return to the 470 class means we have a lot on our plate to beat her in the trials," she said.

"They could begin as early as next year and continue as late as April, 2020.

"Hannah has a different partner to the one she won the medal with and we believe we can beat her, so we will continue training hard and if we aim for a gold medal then winning the trials should become incidental.

"It's important for us at this point not to let other people's past results influence how we perform in the future. Every regatta is an opportunity for us to prove ourselves."

Stay up to date with Carpenter and Seabright – dubbed The A Team – on social media @theateam470 on Instagram or follow "The A Team" on Facebook.