AN OLYMPIC contender who recently celebrated Team GB selection has been raising a smile with her novel mode of transport.

Portland’s Ali Young has mastered the art of unicycling and uses the one-wheeled contraption to boost her core strength as she travels up and down hill to the gym and training each day.

The super-fit 24-year-old, who has her sights set on a podium finish in the women’s Laser Radial dinghy event at the London 2012 Games, enjoys amusing other road users as she pedals to work at Osprey Quay.

Ali, of Fortuneswell, said: “I got my unicycle about two years ago after seeing one in a magazine, it only cost about £30 and I use it every day.

“I get some funny looks but it’s nice to brighten up some people’s days.

“I learnt to unicycle down by Quiddle’s Cafe, it’s good for core strength and it’s a fun way to travel to work.

“I use it to go to the gym and I can get up the hill on Portland as far as the Co-op.

“Going downhill is actually harder because you’re balancing all the time.”

She added: “Some of the others in the team have had a go and said it’s harder than it looks, one of the 49er guys Dave Evans is not bad on it.”

Earlier this month Ali achieved fourth place, her best World’s finish to date, at the Laser Radial World Championships in Boltenhagen, Germany.

She excelled in the mixed weather conditions and finished just four points behind rival Sari Multala of Finland who claimed bronze, while gold went to Lithuania’s Gintare Scheidt and silver to China’s Xu Lijia.

The Skandia Team GBR sailor now aims to step up on the podium at the Skandia Sail for Gold regatta, which begins at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy on Monday, June 4, and then this summer’s home Games.

A total of 517 boats from 60 nations with 716 athletes have signed up for Skandia Sail for Gold 2012.

Although it is open to the public throughout, an official Spectator Day is being hosted on the final Saturday, June 9.

The event will feature medal races with live commentary, prize giving ceremonies and a chance to meet the sailors.

Ali urged residents and visitors to experience the London 2012 venue before it goes under security ‘lockdown’.

She added: “Spectator Day at Sail for Gold is a really cool day for people to come down and see what Olympic Sailing is all about and to get a bit of experience, meet some of the sailors and see the boats.

“It should be a really good day.”

Register for free Spectator Day tickets online at skandiasailforgoldregatta.co.uk