Stone Sailor named West Midlands RYA Young Sailor of the Year 2010

 

Stone sailor Sarah Norbury will receive one of youth sailing’s most prestigious awards – the West Midlands RYA Regional Young Sailor of the Year Award 2010 – at the Tullett Prebon London International Boat Show in January in recognition of her achievements throughout this year.

 

The 13-year-old South Staffordshire Sailing Club talent enjoyed a great 2010 winning the British Ladies Optimist Championship title on the 2012 Olympic waters at Weymouth and Portland in August and also represented RYA Team GBR at the Optimist Europeans in Poland in July, where she finished top British girl.

 

 Sarah Norbury

But Sarah, who is part of the RYA’s prestigious National Junior Squad, admits she was shocked to hear she had been named RYA Regional Young Sailor of the Year.

 

She said: “I knew my club had nominated me but I really didn’t expect to win, it’s amazing and I’m really pleased and proud. I’ve had a lot of highlights this year but the turning point probably came at the Braassemermeer Easter Regatta in Holland when I finished first lady and fourth overall against 223 sailors from all over the World. I suddenly realised I could sail and win against the best.”

 

Sarah and her family were introduced to sailing at South Staffs SC by friends and the family have fully embraced life at the Gailey Reservoir-based club. Although Sarah can spend six weekends training with the RYA National Junior Squad at Weymouth and Portland or Pwllheli, North Wales every winter and competes all over Europe in the summer, she still tries to do as much club racing as she can at South Staffs SC.

 

Sarah admits sailing changed her life.

 

“Sailing’s given me so much confidence. When you’re on the water you’ve got to think about so much and make so many decisions that you learn making some wrong decisions isn’t the end of the world, which makes you less scared to try new things. I’ve also travelled to so many countries and made so many friends around the world that I wouldn’t have done if I didn’t sail.”

 

Sarah Norbury in action. Credit Paul Wyeth/ www.pwpictures.com   

With 2011 looming Sarah is already focussed on her goals of qualifying for the British team to compete at the Optimist Europeans in Portugal in July and the Worlds in New Zealand in December. But the down-to-earth youngster knows there is a lot of hard work to do first.

 

“Probably the most nerve-racking event will be the Selection Event in May. This is four days where the top ranked sailors in Britain compete for places for the team to go to the Worlds, Europeans and French Nationals. I’d love to get into that team.”

 

Sarah will join 12 other RYA regional award winners from across Britain for a VIP day at the Tullett Prebon London International Boat Show on Saturday 8 January.

 

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

 

Some of Britain’s most successful ever sailors have passed through the Optimist class on their way to the biggest prize in World sport including Skandia Team GBR’s multiple gold medallists Ben Ainslie, Iain Percy and Sarah Ayton.

 

Karenza Morton
RYA West Midlands Regional Communicator
T: 07837 707630
E: press@tenpointstick.co.uk
w: www.rya.org.uk