Bleasby Windsurfer Named East Midlands Young Sailor Of The Year 2011 

Notts County SC's Emily is an RYA Regional Young Sailor of the Year

A World Championship medallist windsurfer from Bleasby will pick up one of youth sailing’s most prestigious awards in the New Year - the RYA East Midlands Young Sailor of the Year Award 2011 - in recognition of her achievements over the past 12 months.

Notts County Sailing Club’s Emily Hall, 13, will join 13 other RYA regional award winners from across Britain for a VIP day out at the Tullett Prebon London International Boat Show on Saturday 7 January, where the inspirational youngsters will receive their trophies.

The RYA Regional Young Sailor of the Year awards recognise the outstanding impact young people make to British, whether on the racecourse, at their club, overcoming adversity or through an exceptional achievement.

Minster School pupil Emily, a member of the prestigious RYA National Junior Squad, sails the Bic Techno 6.8m2 windsurf board, which is one of the junior windsurfing classes that sailing’s national governing body supports in developing Olympic potential.

Earlier this year, the Nottinghamshire youngster won a hugely-impressive Girls’ Under 15 age-group bronze at the Bic Techno World Championships in San Francisco, while she has won a number of other major events both at home and abroad.

At the start of October, Emily’s enthusiasm, commitment and passion for windsurfing were singled out when she was awarded the special Robert Cartwright Memorial Trophy at the RYA/UKWA Youth and Masters Championships 2011 in recognition of her attitude.

Despite still being only 13, Emily also competed in the Under 17 age-group on the larger 7.8m2 sailboard at the Bic Techno European Championships in Cagliari in October, where she finished a creditable 29th out of 44.

Emily started windsurfing aged six on the waters at Hoveringham and quickly developed a taste for the sport, competing regionally and then nationally before now travelling all over the world as part of the RYA National Junior Squad. She admits she had to pinch herself when she found out she was now the RYA East Midlands Young Sailor of the Year.

Emily said: “I am 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 in many countries, meeting lots of friends from all over the world. None of this would be possible without the support I get from my school, Riks Windsurfing and Nottinghamshire County Council.”

RYA Chief Executive Sarah Treseder said: “Winning an RYA Regional Young Sailor of the Year Award is a fantastic achievement and I am delighted to recognise the talent of these young people and the dedication they show for our sport. The awards highlight the fact so many young sailors are out there enjoying themselves and achieving brilliant things.”

Next year, Emily will be focusing on the Bic Techno World Championships in the Netherlands in August plus the European in October. She will also be looking to mix in some freestyle, slalom and wave events.