Riding a wave of success

9:30am Thu Dec 15, 2011

Windsurfing Junior World Championship bronze medallist Emily Hall has picked up one of youth sailing’s most prestigious titles — the RYA East Midlands Young Sailor Of The Year Award.

The 13-year-old Notts County Sailing Club member from Bleasby will join 13 regional award winners for a VIP day out at the Tullett Prebon London International Boat Show in January, where she will receive her trophy.

The RYA Regional Young Sailor Of The Year awards recognise the outstanding impact young people make on British sailing.

Minster School pupil Emily, who sails the Bic Techno 6.8m2 windsurf board, won the girls’ under-15 bronze at the Bic Techno World Championships in San Fransisco.

Emily, who began sailing in Hoveringham aged six, has also competed at under-17 level on the larger 7.8m2 sailboard at the Bic Techno European Championships in Cagliari in October, where she finished 29th out of 44 competitors.

Emily, part of the RYA National Junior Squad, said: “I’m very proud to have won this award as there are many very good sailors in the East Midlands.

“I love everything about windsurfing —the sport has given me a chance to travel and compete all over the world. “None of this would be possible without the support I get from my school, Riks Windsurfing and Nottinghamshire County Council.”