Dan's the man to be honoured at RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show

Daniel Whiteley during the RYA ISAF Youth Worlds Selection Event at Hayling Island © Paul Wyeth / RYA

North Wales sailor Dan Whiteley is one of thirteen promising young sailors from across the United Kingdom who have been revealed as winners of the 2016 RYA Regional Youth Champion Awards.

The Bangor sailor will receive the Wales Youth Champion trophy at the official awards presentation, taking place at the RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show on Saturday, in recognition of his achievement finishing third at the ISAF World Championships.

The awards will be presented by British Sailing Team member Giles Scott on the Suzuki Main Stage.

It is part of a big year for Whiteley as he looks to build on his bronze medal finish against the best in the world, while also preparing for 'A' Levels this summer.

"It is an honour to get awards like this, the ISAF event was a really great experience and I enjoyed every moment," said Whiteley, who won the last race to move from fifth to third on the leaderboard.

"It was great to come back with a result, it was something I was hoping for, but when I saw the conditions I thought that would be a disadvantage for me because it was windy but the last couple of days were a bit lighter.

"On the last day I knew a podium finish was within reach if everything went right, but I thought the chances of that were slim so I decided to enjoy the race and that is what I did.

"I had a good start and knew I was doing pretty well but I was not sure about the other sailors until my coach told me at the end that I had won, the Finnish sailor and American were below where they needed to be, and I had moved up to third.

"It makes a big difference, third place gets a podium and medal while the person in fourth place just sits there.

"Since then seeing some of the press coverage was nice and getting an award like this is pretty cool.

"After the Nationals in April I will concentrate on my 'A' Levels. Then I plan to take a year out to focus on sailing and try to get into the British team."

Created in 2014, the RYA Regional Youth Champion Awards recognise the outstanding achievement and performance of young people across the range of activities the RYA represents, including sailing, windsurfing and powerboating.

Winners this year include, in the South, 29er pair Emma Loveridge and Mimi El-Khazindar. The Royal Lymington Yacht Club duo were crowned World and European Champions, as well as securing the EUROSAF bronze medal in 2015.

RYA Sport Development Manager Duncan Truswell said: "We are delighted to acknowledge the achievements of young boaters from across the United Kingdom. They have all excelled during 2015, and we hope to see them go on to achieve great things in our sport."

With thanks to Volvo, Zhik, Marlow, I Love Meet and Greet and Harken for supporting the RYA Regional Youth Champion Awards.

For more information on the RYA Regional Youth Champion Awards, visit www.rya.org.uk/go/youthchampion