A young Highland sailor is set to rub shoulders with the best in the business as she competes in the Great Britain team at the 2018 Youth Sailing World Championships later this month.
Islay Watson, from Aviemore, will contest in the RS:X windsurfer girls fleet as part of a 14-strong British Youth Sailing team at the prestigious event, taking place in Corpus Christi, Texas, between July 14-21.
Miss Watson said: “I’m pretty excited. I’ve just got back from the RS:X class world championships in France where I finished 13th. There was hardly any wind out there which didn’t suit me very well.
“I’m hoping there might be a little bit more out in Texas. My goal for the Youth Worlds is a top three finish – and if there’s a little bit of wind I think it could be do-able. I just can’t wait to get out there.”
The Youth World Championships is the pinnacle event in youth racing, with many contestants who have previously competed going on to represent their respective countries at the Olympic Games.
Past contestants include Sir Ben Ainslie, the world’s most decorated Olympic sailor, and 2008 Beijing gold medallists Pippa Wilson and Sarah Ayton.
Islay, 18, was runner up in the national girls RS:X class in May, coming second only to her sister Erin.
Isaac Lines from Dunoon won the boys RS:X class, and will also go on to compete at the World Championships.
Mr Lines said: “Preparation has been extensive and I’ve focused on maximising every day to improve all areas of my sailing in all conditions.
“Having just completed the class youth worlds I know where I can improve to put me at the top of the fleet. My goal is to produce consistent results across all days of racing.”