Hannah Tilley heading for Laser Youth worlds in Brazil
by Hamish Stuart 7 Apr 2009 08:21 BST
South Wales sailor Hannah Tilley is heading for the Laser Youth Worlds in Brazil © WYA
South Wales sailor Hannah Tilley has taken another step towards confirming her massive potential by finishing as the best of British and booking her place for the world championships.
The Llandegfedd and Cardiff Bay 15-year-old will represent Britain at the Laser Youth World Championships in Brazil in July after a two weekend selection series against the best sailors in the UK.
Tilley, from Llandenny near Usk, was the junior girl world champion in the Topper class of boat last year, but has now moved up to the Laser 4.7 class and has spent the winter working with the Welsh National Squad as well as the GBR National 4.7 Squad.
She finished the top girl and fifth overall in the British selection to confirm her place in the RYA Team GBR, after working hard on the water and improving her fitness over the winter.
While the Laser 4.7 World Championships will be her immediate focus, she is planning to move up again to the Olympic class laser radial design over the next 12 months.
“This is a deserved result for Hannah and a reflection on the hard work and attention to detail she has to do well at the top,” said Iwan Basten, the Welsh Yachting Association director of high performance.
“It is a sport of highs and lows and Hannah is consistently showing she can hit the highs. She has every opportunity of continuing her progress at the highest levels through youth and beyond with the way she is going.
“As long as she continues to work hard, she has outstanding potential to go a long way in the sport.”