CLARE CHAPPLE has been awarded one of the highest accolades in UK youth sailing. Following her success at the Royal Yachting Association’s Youth Championships at Easter, the 16-year-old has won a place in the RYA’s top youth British laser radial sailing squad.

This is the first time that a sailor from the Channel Islands, of either sex, has achieved this status .

The elite squad consists of 18 youths under the age of 18 of which only five are girls. The squad’s primary objective is to foster and nurture the UK’s best sailing talent to produce potential Olympic sailors.

Chapple was previously selected in November 2003 as one of only five girls in the laser radial transitional squad. This allowed her to train with an RYA national coach over the winter months to transit from the Optimist dinghy class and the Laser 4.7 class, in the latter of which she was the highest-ranked UK girl in 2003.

Of the five girls in the transitional squad, only Chapple has attained full youth squad status.

Chapple said she was delighted to join this top squad but said the pressure is really on.

‘I have to seek re-qualification every six months based on my sailing results at major championships and continued assessments. The Fitness Factory, who have helped me over the last two years, have designed a sailing specific programme to achieve this aim.’

The Guernsey girl is now the youngest girl in the squad with one of 17 and three who are 19.

From the youth squad and national championships a sole female laser radial sailor is chosen to represent the UK at the Youth World Championships and although not selected this year her aim is to achieve this goal and ultimately Olympic Development Squad status at the age of 19.

The results of the UK youth championships and trials were pivotal to her squad inclusion. These took place at Pwllheli, north Wales, and a total of 14 races were scheduled over five days.

Ninety six other competitors under the age of 18 took part in the competition, including Chapple’s brother James, 14.

The first day’s racing was cancelled due to lack of wind but three races took place on the second in light winds which allowed the organisers to split the fleet into gold and silver groupings.

James Chapple delivered the better results, scoring a 27th, 10th and 17th, while Clare scored 24th, 26th and 12th, ensuring both qualified for gold-fleet status (top 49).

The third day provided four races in medium-strengths winds within the gold-fleet.

Clare demonstrated consistency in conditions not best suited to her weight and secured 32nd, 29th, 21st and 30th.

The wind strength reduced on day four and this allowed Chapple to demonstrate her skills.

A second place in the first race was a remarkable performance against such strong competition of youths who generally were much older and she was beaten by only one boy on this occasion This was later followed by an 18th place in the next race and a 10th in the third of the day.

These combined results pulled Chapple up the leader board to a respectable 22nd place, but more importantly third girl overall to secure the coveted red disc, which was placed on the sail to indicate her ranking in the event.

With racing on the scheduled fifth day also being abandoned due to lack of wind, she held onto her third-girl-overall position.

Guernsey Yacht Club colleague Sorrell Chandler, 17, finished 32nd overall and fifth girl with a best individual result of 14th and gold- fleet status.

James Chapple finished 45th overall but more importantly second best 14-year-old.

Further training and fitness assessments will continue for Clare throughout the winter and autumn months, supported by funding from the Sport England lottery fund.

As in the early part of her sailing career, the Guernsey Sport Development fund will contribute to her expenses, with continued assistance from Condor Ferries.