A DORSET teen is celebrating after scooping the Yachting Journalists’ Association coveted accolade, the Young Sailor of the Year award.

Emma Wilson, 15, from Christchurch, was given the trophy as she came into shore while training at Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy.

The award is not Miss Wilson’s first, having won a number of youth Windsurfing World Championship titles.

Emma said of her achievement: “It was definitely a surprise; I was shocked to be nominated, let alone win the award.

“Training in Weymouth is great, it’s safe and has good facilities, which is nice to look forward to after a cold session. With the Official Test Centre right there it’s sociable too.

She added: “My overall goal is to go to the Olympics in 2020 and win a gold medal, so there is lots of hard work to be done. I have lots of competition coming up and most recent one starts on January 26 in Miami for the Senior ISAF World Cup.”