Kent and Rye Harbour sailor wins RYA Regional Youth Champion Award

Scott Wilkinson competing at the Topper World Championship © Simon McIlwaine

Scott Wilkinson from Tenterden, Kent, a member of Rye Harbour Sailing Club, is one of ten promising young sailors from across the UK revealed as the winners of the RYA Regional Youth Champion Awards.

Each will receive a trophy at the official awards presentation taking place on Sunday 4 March at the RYA Dinghy Show 2018. The awards will be presented by 49er World Champion and Rio Olympian Dylan Fletcher.

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.

Scott (15) has been named London and South East Youth Champion after he beat off competition from around the world to win the 2017 Topper World Championships. Nearer home Scott won the Topper National Series, meaning that he was ranked number 1 in the UK last year, and he came second at the national championships.

Scott's success was helped by sailing and being coached for a year in the RYA South East Topper Zone squad before progressing to the RYA Intermediate Junior Squad for a year and then the RYA Junior Squad.

Scott said of his success: "I am very pleased with my results in my final year of Topper sailing and this award completes it. I am now enjoying being part of the RYA T1 Squad in my Laser Radial and I am looking forward to competing in the RYA Youth Championships at Largs in April."

Scott was selected for the award by the RYA Regional Committee, whose Chair Helen Hoffman said: "We are delighted to have Scott as the RYA London and South East Youth Champion 2018. His dedication and talent enabled him to excel in the Topper World Championships and we wish him every success and enjoyment for his sailing future."

RYA Director of Sport Development Alistair Dickson said: "We're delighted to recognize the achievements of all of these sailors who have all shown lots of hard work, sacrifice and determination to the sport.

"The Awards also help to emphasize the endless support of our many volunteers who work so hard at the club level to give our sailors the best possible start to their future sailing careers."

Richard Hopper of Rye Harbour Sailing Club added: "Scott, his sister and parents joined Rye Harbour Sailing Club in 2008 and all the family have been very active in supporting the club."

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

For more about Rye Harbour Sailing Club visit www.rhsc.org.uk