RYA Regional Youth Champions awarded at RYA Dinghy Show

RYA Regional Youth Champions awarded at RYA Dinghy Show © Paul Wyeth / RYA

The UK's most promising young sailors were recognised today (4 March) at the RYA Regional Youth Champion Awards Ceremony by British Sailing Team members Dylan Fletcher and Sophie Ainsworth.

The annual awards were presented at the RYA Dinghy Show at Alexandra Palace, London, in recognition of the outstanding achievements and performance of young people on the race course.

Winners for 2018 included Eastern Youth Champion Daisy Collingridge who achieved some fantastic results in the Laser Radial including winning a bronze medal in the World Sailing Youth World Championships. A significant achievement and the first medal we have won in the Radial girls since Ally Young in 2005.

Also picking up an award is Scott Wilkinson who has been named London and South East Youth Champion after beating off competition from around the world to win the 2017 Topper World Championships.

"We're delighted to present these young sailors with their awards today" said Olympic sailor Sophie Ainsworth. "Dylan and I both started out sailing in these kind of events and championships and it's great to meet such ambitious young sailors who have so much passion for the sport. My advice to them is practice as much as you can but to also have fun and to enjoy it".

RYA Regional Youth Champions 2018

• Eastern: Daisy Collingridge
  
• London and South East: Scott Wilkinson
  
• Midlands: Imogen Wade
  
• North East: George Stewart
  
• North West: Sam Cooper
  
• Southern: Matilda Nicholls
  
• South West: Milly Jinks
  
• Wales: Hatty Morsley
  
• Northern Ireland: Sally Bell
  
• Scotland: Alistair Coombs

Find more information about the Youth Champion Awards at rya.org.uk/go/youthchampion