A YOUNG sailor from Marlow will race on the waters that will be used during the Olympic Games in Tokyo, and it’s not impossible that he’ll return in 2020 with far more at stake.

Jordan Giles has been invited to compete in the three-day International Friendship Regatta in Japan in May.

It’s only a test event for the 2020 Games but, with a fair wind, the 15-year-old Great Marlow School pupil could be back there in six years time wearing GB colours.

Dad Simon said: “It’s a fantastic opportunity. It’s not an Olympic thing, but it’s part of the build-up and we didn’t even know it was happening until we got an invite from the Japanese Sailing Association.”

And while he says it’s a long shot, he admits competing in the 2020 Games is not out of the question.

He said: “It is a possibility. He is progressing well but there is a lot of competition. It’s not a big chance, but there is always a chance.”

At the half way stage of the Laser 4.7 National Championships, Giles is sixth out of 86 competitors, with a fifth and third place finish among his highlights, and this he summer will compete in a range of international regattas.

However, inexperience on congested waters is a stumbling block and it cost him a place at this years Youth Olympics, despite qualifying taking place at his home venue in Weymouth a month ago.

Simon said: “It was on his home waters but he just didn’t do well. There were five races and he won one of them, but there were 55 kids and he lacks experience with a lot of boats on the water at the same time.

“The starts hurt him every time. There is a lot of pushing and shoving and it makes a big difference.

“But he is capable of winning these things. He is capable of out-sailing the guys who did qualify.”