Andrew Simpson funeral to be held next week following fatal accident in preparation for the America's Cup

The wrecked Artemis boat, under which Andrew Simpson OBE was trapped and died (Getty Images)

The funeral of former Olympic champion Andrew Simpson will be held in his hometown of Sherborne next week.

The 36-year-old, who added silver at London 2012 to the gold he won in Beijing in 2008, died on 9 May after a training accident with Artemis Racing in California ahead of this summer's America's Cup. Simpson was trapped under his AC72 catamaran and the Royal Yachting Association confirmed a memorial service will be held on 31 May.

"Andrew James 'Bart' Simpson MBE tragically passed away, aged 36, on 9 May, 2013 in San Francisco," the statement read. "He was a devoted husband, adored daddy, son, brother and friend to so many whose lives he touched.

"The service will be held at Sherborne Abbey, Dorset, on Friday, 31 May, at 1pm."