A TOP young Weymouth windsurfer has gained a place in the highly-prized Royal Yachting Association (RYA) transition training squad for RS:Xs.

Lily Young was selected after attending a number of training camps where hopefuls were assessed on their surfing skills and racing strategy.

Of the many who attended the camps, only a small number were picked to be a part of the squad, and Young was one of them.

The 16-year-old said: “I became interested last summer while I was watching some of the transitional training and youth squads train in Portland Harbour.

“I thought it was something that I would enjoy.

“Prior to that, I had sailed on the OTC’s RS:One boards, a similar design to the RS:X, supplied by the Will Mackaness Trust.

“For my 16th birthday, my parents bought me an RS:X board. I joined the open training sessions and really enjoyed it.”

Being in the squad offers world class coaching and the opportunity to compete at many venues around the United Kingdom, as well as the chance to attend regattas abroad.

Fitness targets and advice on nutrition will also be available to those in the squad.

Young’s favourite aspect of being in the squad is the atmosphere at training camps.

She added: “I enjoy being part of a team, we all sail together and are all good friends, and we all stay together at camps.”

Young enjoyed a great 2014 season taking part in numerous competitions and honing her skills. However, her biggest achievement was gaining a place in the squad.

She said: “Being selected was a big achievement as I hadn’t come up through the junior squads as the others had.

“I also have a lot to learn so I am trying to get out on the water as much as possible.”

Her efforts are now being focused on the 2015 season with plans to train hard, improve her positions at competitions and succeed in getting into the RYA Youth Squad for next year.

In order to prepare for the challenges ahead, Young has a big list of commitments this year.

She continued: “We have been set fitness targets, there are tough benchmarks to meet and we will be tested throughout the year.

“I am continuing with my swimming, training with Tornadoes of South Dorset, as well as running, rowing, cycling and sessions in the gym.

“Hopefully I might manage to find time to do a spot of paddleboarding when my GCSEs are over.”

“I would like to say a big thank you for the support given to me by the Osprey Leisure Centre and Tris Best at the Official Test Centre.”