A YOUNG sailing starlet from Beaconsfield secured gold at the 2017 RYA National Championship after a gruelling five days of challenging racing.
Alex Smallwood, 17, took to the racetrack in the 420 class along with team-mate Ross Thompson, racing against the cream of British Youth Sailing. 

Over 370 young sailors from across the United Kingdom converged on the waters of Hayling Island for the premier competition in the youth sailing calendar which, for some, may yet provide a springboard into a future Olympic campaign.  

Dominating the 420 fleet from the outset and securing gold with a day to spare, Smallwood and Thompson were the runaway winners.

For Smallwood, this is a second Youth Nationals title, and he said: “It feels really good to win the Youth Nationals again, it’s been a pretty challenging week and we’ve worked really hard for it.” 

Thompson added: “We really enjoyed the mix of conditions and the one really windy day, which was good fun. It’s made for really good competition.”

Topping the podium will give Smallwood a huge boost as he keeps training in preparation for a summer of international events against the best 420 sailors from around the world. 

Mark Nicholls, Event Director, said: “It’s been an absolutely fantastic week at Hayling Island.

“The club and the volunteers are outstanding and have really supported a wonderful event.

“The weather co-operated and the standard of sailing has been the highest I think I have ever seen. It has been a brilliant event.”

For further information please visit the RYA website.