DORCHESTER sailor Jack Cookson has plans for another stunning season on the water.

The 18-year-old Laser prospect has been working hard to improve his performances by attending various events and training opportunities.

At the end of last season, he transitioned from the Laser Radial into the Laser Standard.

This year started with a fantastic opportunity for Cookson, acting as a training partner to London 2012 Olympian, Alison Young.

The pair trained together in Rio, Brazil as Young prepares to take part in the Olympic Games in the summer.

He learnt valuable skills and was able to get a close look at challenges which will face the Olympic sailors later in the year.

The start of the competitive season was marked with the Laser World and European Qualifier events.

At the first Spring Qualifier held at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy, Cookson secured second place overall. This was followed by the second qualifier at which he was placed in 14th.

His best result came at the third qualifier held at Stokes Bay Sailing Club where he was the overall winner from a very competitive fleet of almost 40 sailors. On the Laser Standard Ladder, he is ranked in a fantastic fifth place overall.

Cookson’s schedule is already filled with many events. Fast approaching is the Royal Yachting Association’s Youth National Championships where he hopes to emulate last year’s win.

This year, the event will take place in Pwllheli between April 2-8.

Soon after the championships, Cookson will travel to Bermuda to undertake more training. On arriving back in the United Kingdom, he will be looking forward to a summer competing at many events across Europe.

Alongside his competitive sailing programme, he is currently studying for a degree in Business Analytics at the University of Southampton.