WEYMOUTH-BASED sailor Sam Barker has really enjoyed a season to remember.

Barker, part of the competitive dinghy sailing scene since an early age, has always been able to post excellent results due to his natural flair.

A member of Castle Cove Sailing Club, he regularly competes at local and national level on a Musto Skiff.

Earlier this year, Barker helmed his way to the Youth National Championship title with another Weymouth youngster star in the shape of Ross McFarlane.

The championship was held at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy and the pair competed in the Spitfire fleet.

Barker said of their success at the youth nationals: “The journey started back at the beginning of March at the dinghy show held at Alexandra Palace.

“We walked on to the catamaran stand where we spoke to a few friends who we had met last year.

“They told us that they were hoping to win the nationals as there would be no competition. We couldn’t let that happen so off we went boat hunting.”

A week after finishing the championships, Barker travelled to Carnac, France to compete on an F18 in the World Championships.

The event included a long distance race where he finished in the top 10 and was the second British boat home.

There were also two days of fleet racing which contributed to his overall result of 19th.

The next major event Barker attended was the J24 National Championships where he, and the other crew on board, were among 18 boats competing.

Continuing his great run of results, the crew finished second overall at their first event in their new roles.

Back in the Musto Skiff dinghy, Barker very much leads the way for the youth sailors.

At the Musto Skiff National Championships, held at Stokes Bay Sailing Club, there were more than 50 competitors taking part.

The racing was very fierce and Barker finished in 12th place overall.

He was also top youth which saw him add to his collection of youth national titles.

He said: “My favourite event this season would probably be the F18 World Championships in Ballyholme, Ireland. There was great hospitality and the sailing conditions were amazing.”

Barker has excelled throughout the 2014 sailing season and next year he is looking to move up the ranks again, maintain his sponsorship, and spend as much time as possible on the water as possible.

He is definitely a sailor who everyone will be hearing much more about as he adds further successes to his CV.