DORSET Olympian Zara Dampney has made her first steps towards Rio 2016 by moving back on to the international stage alongside her new beach volleyball team-mate.

Christchurch-born Dampney, who flew the flag for Team GB with partner Shauna Mullin at Horse Guards Parade last summer, has now joined forces with Lucy Boulton.

The duo this week started their new partnership in Turkey when they took part in the opening tournament on the European Beach Volleyball Tour calendar. From Turkey, Dampney and Boulton are set to fly to Los Angeles for two weeks of training as they build up to their first FIVB World Tour event in China later this month.

Dampney, whose globe-trotting schedule will continue through to tournaments in Thailand and South Africa in December, is hoping to forge a strong combination with Boulton.

The Wessex star said: “I am looking forward to starting this new partnership with Lucy Boulton.

“For the next few tournaments, we will just be trying to get used to each other’s strengths, weaknesses and playing styles.”

Having taken a break after the Olympics, Dampney spent the winter helping Wessex Rocare finish third in the Super 8s, the top division of the National Volleyball League.

Dampney, a product of Dorset-based Wessex’s successful youth system, has been training regularly at the Leaf Academy.