JOHANNA ASPLUND has expressed delight at establishing herself as one of the country’s most promising sailing talents by winning the girls’ 2009 Volvo Musto Optimist British National Championship title in Largs, Scotland.

After six thrilling days of racing, the 14-year-old Guernsey Yacht Club sailor (pictured) held her nerve to produce the consistency she needed in the back end of the regatta to not only wrap up the British National crown but also finish as the second girl overall behind American Megan Grapengeter-Rudnick, who was the dominant force in the girls’ event all week.

The Sarnian started the week on a low, posting an 84th and a 41st before hitting back in style claiming an impressive victory in race three. She beat the cream of the British boys, as well as a host of international sailors – boys and girls – from as far afield as the USA, the United Arab Emirates and Zimbabwe.

‘When I started with the 84th I thought I was sailing at the wrong end of the fleet, but the race win on day three then got my confidence up massively and made me think that I could compete at the right end. Winning that race was definitely my high point of the week,’ Asplund said.

‘The conditions throughout the week were really changeable, but you just have to accept what you get whether the wind is strong or light and the trick is not to get upset or anxious about it. If someone had said to me that I would finish top British girl and second girl overall at the start of the week I would have been really happy.’