Sailor Hugo on radar of Royal Yachting Association coaches

The Year 8 student will be involved with up-and-coming Optimist sailors over this winter with the British Youth Sailing Team.

A letter confirming the news from Chris Atherton, RYA National Performance Manager of the British Youth Sailing Team, said: “Hugo’s selection for this RYA activity recognises his potential to progress within British Youth Sailing, with the aim of winning selection for our UK Youth Squads or beyond into our Olympic Development programmes.

“Hugo was selected on the basis of his performance and commitment to a programme of training and competition over a period of several years, and establishes his status as a British Youth Sailing sailor who we hope will represent Great Britain at major international events in the forthcoming years.”

Sailing clearly runs in the family.

Hugo’s father is a local sailmaker with his own sailmaking company in Westbourne.

Yvonne Watkins, headteacher at the Southbourne school, said: “We are delighted for Hugo and look forward to watching his progress.

“We wish him a fantastic season!”

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