A sailing duo who have just scooped World Championship gold are to switch class in a bid to become Britain's future Olympic golden boys.

Teenagers Alain Sign and Tristan Jaques guided their 29 skiff to glory in Switzerland last week, but will now turn their attentions to the 49er, the class in which Southampton's Chris Draper and teammate Simon Hiscocks won bronze in Athens.

Alain, 18, from Lee-on-the-Solent and 17-year-old Tristan from Warsash, are aiming to compete in the 2012 games, which may be held in Britain.

The Stokes Bay Sailing Club pair want to emulate the 2004 Olympic sailing team which finished the regatta as the most successful sailing nation for the second games running.

The team won two gold medals, one silver and two bronzes. The first gold medal for Great Britain was won by the Isle of Wight's Shirley Robertson with her team Sarah Ayton and Sarah Webb in the Yngling class. Finn sailor Ben Ainslie, based in Lymington, won the team's second gold after battling from the disappointment of a disqualification in race two on the first day.

Alain and Tristan, who have been racing partners for two years, will spend the winter training hard and trying to bulk up for the tougher 49er class.

Their decision follows their World Championship success in a five-day contest in Switzerland.

Alain said: "Competition was close as it was a small lake. We were one point behind the Finland team for most of the week, but managed to win by seven points in the end.

"That's it for the season but we plan to keep working hard through the winter. Our ultimate aim is to get to the 2012 Olympics."

Depending on funding, they hope to turn professional once they have completed their studies - Alain at St Vincent's College and Tristan at Itchen College.