ISLAY Watson is ready to take on the world’s best young windsurfers ahead of racing at the Youth Olympic Games later this month.

Watson, who trains at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, will represent Great Britain at the Youth Olympics, taking place in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from 6-18 October with racing commencing on Sunday, October 7.

Watson will be among 42 British athletes aged between 14 and 18 who will compete in 17 sports over 12 days of action.

Watson race in the Techno 293 Plus windsurfing class having impressed selectors with a string of top results this season.

Watson, 17, claimed bronze at the class European Championships as well as winning the Youth World Championships in the RS:X class.

Watson said: “I’m excited to get started now,

“I’ve done all the training and I’m feeling pretty ready. I’m not really sure what to expect but I am just excited to be representing Team GB at such a big event.”

Watson added: “Everyone has their favourite conditions for racing,

“But I am hoping for a mixed week with all conditions. Just got to wait and see what happens.”

Hawkins has only windsurfed for four years but has quickly developed into an accomplished racer.

Watson is a product of the Royal Yachting Association’s British Youth Sailing programme, which aims to identify and develop the world’s best young racing sailors.

British Youth Sailing coach Oli Woodcock, an experienced windsurfer with a proven track record for nurturing young athletes will support Watson at the event.

The 2018 Youth Olympics, which will feature almost 4,000 of the world’s most talented young athletes from 206 nations, is the third edition of the Games following Singapore 2010 and Nanjing 2014.

The Games will also make history through its commitment to gender equality by becoming the first Olympic event to host the same number of male and female athletes with 1,999 of each set to compete in Argentina.