LIKE so many other young sailors, Emma Bishop is hoping this year will be one to remember after a promising career on the water so far.

The 13-year-old cannot wait to start competing again and improving on some already impressive results.

Castle Cove Sailing Club member Bishop relished the 2014 season, with a standout victory in the Slow Handicap class at the Weymouth Regatta.

“I was one of the youngest in my class and up against some very experienced adults in a fleet of 26 boats,” she said.

“Winning that really improved my confidence and made me very proud of what I had achieved.”

Another event at which she thrived was the Europa Cup, held at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA).

It was Bishop’s favourite competition, partly due to it being on her doorstep, but also because the standard was so high, with sailors from all over the country and further afield taking part.

Bishop finished as the third best under-16 girl in what was another great achievement.

Bishop currently sails a Laser 4.7 which has been her favourite dinghy to sail to date.

She was 12 when she first moved into the Laser class and has enjoyed every second of it since.

“The Laser is very fun and fast, and as we get so many windy days in Portland Harbour it is very exciting going out in 25 knots and sailing in the big rolling waves,” she added.

This season the talented youngster is looking forward to competing at Parkstone Youth Week on a 420 dinghy.

“I will be sailing with one of my best friends, Elizabeth Bowers,” she said. “Whatever the final result, we will be pleased because it will be the first event Elizabeth and I will have competed in together.

“We will have a good time and learn a lot.”

Bishop is planning to continue training throughout the summer and hopes to get selected for the Laser 4.7 National Squad in the winter.

She is also set to attend the Youth Nationals at the WPNSA where she will compete on the Radial rig.

The teenager hopes to complete every race at the event as she takes on her brother James, another top local talent.

“I hope to continue in competitive sailing as I have made so many friends,” she continued. “I would also love to teach children and families to sail, either abroad or in the UK.”

Commenting on the support she gets from her family, she said: “They have always been happy to truck me around the country and I hope they know just how grateful I am.”