'Design a Sail Sticker' competition winner announced

James Knight wins RYA and RS Sailing 'Design a Sail Sticker' competition © Emily Whiting

Warwickshire's James Knight was today crowned the winner of the RYA and RS Sailing 'Design a Sail Sticker' competition at the 2015 RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show.

James, a 9-year-old sailor at Draycote Water Sailing Club, clinched a fantastic prize package including his very own personalised RS Tera worth £2,050. And if that's not enough, RS Sailing has loaned a further two dinghies to James' local sailing club for the 2015 season (April-November).

More than 80 youngsters took part in the competition to design, colour and decorate an RS sail sticker. In a new twist for 2015, the winning design was secretly created into a RS sail sticker for the new boat. James' winning entry with its inspired feline design was unveiled at the RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show in front of a packed crowd at London's magnificent Alexandra Palace.

Runner up, Felicity Coote (aged 7) from Emsworth Sailing Club, was commended for her clever wordsearch design – as was fellow finalist Tom Stratton-Brown (aged 10) from Frensham Pond Sailing Club who featured a brightly-coloured wasp on his sticker.

All the talented finalists received goodie bags from RYA Publications – containing the informative Go Sailing, Dinghy Techniques, and Start to Race titles.

RYA Shows Coordinator Charlotte Pearson congratulated the three talented finalists and thanked RS Sailing for their support. "We're thrilled to have joined forces with RS Sailing to recognise the efforts of all our finalists at the RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show today. The grand unveiling of the winning design on the Suzuki Main Stage proved to be a real crowd-pleaser and was a fitting culmination to a great competition.

"We're passionate about enabling youngsters to practice their sailing skills, learn new skills, or venture out onto the water for the first time. With RS Sailing loaning two RS Tera dinghies to the winner's local sailing club, we are hoping even more young sailors will now try their hand at sailing."

Jon Partridge RS Managing Director, Commercial added: "We were thoroughly impressed with the overall high standard of this year's entries for the design a sail sticker competition. The concept behind this year's contest meant that the winning design could be produced and unveiled to its unsuspecting proud new owner in front of their family and show visitors! It was great to host James, Felicity and Tom as our special guests today at the RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show. Our emphatic congratulations go to all of the finalists – especially our competition winner James and everyone at Draycote Water Sailing Club."

If you're visiting the RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show over the weekend of 28 February and 01 March, make sure you check out the RS Sailing stand (B72) in the Great Hall.

For ticket details and more information about the RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show visit www.dinghyshow.org.uk