JAMES Bishop has been a leading performer in junior and youth sailing for several years.

Now 16 and a member of Castle Cove Sailing Club, he competes in the Laser Radial Class at both national and international level.

Bishop started sailing many years ago. He said: “I first got into sailing when my family brought an old Topper dinghy and my uncle took me out sailing.

“After that, I was totally hooked and was always going sailing with my mum who has been the single biggest influence in my sailing career.”

Later, he showed his potential and became a regular competitor on the regional and national Optimist circuit.

Last season, Bishop travelled to Aarhus, Denmark to compete in the Laser Radial Youth Euro-peans. This event was his favourite and he said: “It was a lovely place and there was some competitive racing and a great social scene.”

He was also grateful to receive sponsorship from the Wilkinson store in Weymouth.

This boost provided Bishop with £1,500, which he put towards funding a new boat.

The donation was made as part of Wilko’s Local Star initiative, which sponsors individuals from across the country who either have a special talent, are an inspiration to others, or help in their community.

Bishop achieved many great results in 2014 with his highlight result being at the Laser Inland Championships.

The two-day event was held at Rutland Sailing Club and attracted more than 100 competitors.

It was very fierce competition with world champions among the fleet. However, Bishop put in some consistently good performances as he finished ninth overall and was the sixth-best under 19-year-old.

Bishop is looking forward to achieving even greater success in the 2015 season and is looking forward to competing in the Youth Nationals, which will held at Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy.

Last year, he succeeded in qualifying for the gold fleet and he wants to repeat this as well as improve his finishing position.