Inspirational Emily receives Young Sailor award 

Nottingham windsurfer Emily picks up her East Midlands RYA Young Sailor of the Year prize

Bleasby’s World Championship medallist windsurfer, Emily Hall, was presented with the prestigious RYA East Midlands Young Sailor of the Year Award 2011 at the Tullett Prebon London International Boat Show on Saturday (7 January).

Notts County Sailing Club’s Emily, 13, was amongst 15 2011 RYA Regional Young Sailor of the Year winners to receive their awards, which recognise the outstanding achievements of youth sailors across the country. They are voted for by RYA affiliated sailing clubs.

Emily, who started windsurfing aged six on the waters at Hoveringham, won a hugely-impressive Girls’ Under 15 age-group bronze at the 2011 Bic Techno World Championships in San Francisco. She is a member of the prestigious RYA National Junior Squad and the Bic Techno windsurf board is one of the junior windsurfing classes that sailing’s national governing body supports in developing Olympic potential.

This year, the Minster School pupil will be focusing on the Bic Techno World Championships in the Netherlands in August plus the Europeans in October. She will also be looking to mix in some freestyle, slalom and wave events.

Emily said: “It was a brilliant day. I loved meeting all the other award winners and hearing what they had done last year and were up to this year. I also got to meet double Olympic gold medallist Iain Percy, which was absolutely amazing!”

All the RYA Regional Young Sailors of the Year have made a significant impact on youth sailing, ranging from gold medal winning achievements and overcoming adversity, to the huge amount of hard work and effort they give back to their clubs.

Emily and her family were treated to an action-packed VIP day at the Tullett Prebon London International Boat Show, courtesy of Pantaenius Yacht Insurance.