A YOUNG Teign Corinthian Yacht Club, Teignmouth, cadet member has been called up to the National RS Tera Class dinghy squad, after racing the class for only a year.

William James, nine, began sailing competitively since last year, and has successfully competed in many races, winning the Harrison cup at the Jubilee Regatta recently.

He is often racing against 12- to 17-year- olds in the junior class.

‘I’m thrilled to have been selected and I’ll be training extra hard to keep my place,’ he said.

William trains at Coombe Cellars, and also with the South West Tera Academy, a regional community group project shared between local sailing clubs, bringing top-class coaching to youngsters.

Ben Miles, of Shaldon, a South West Tera Academy official, said: ‘Its so good to see the hard work and training delivering results, William is the second and youngest, of our initial 14 youngsters to be selected for the national squad.’

The call-up will allow William to receive training from the nation’s top racing coaches, along with the opportunity to compete at the highest levels nationally and internationally.

Proud dad Nick added: ‘He has worked really hard over the past 12 months, and his determination, positive attitude and the excellent South West Tera Academy training have really paid off.’

William starts training with the national squad at Queen Mary Sailing Club, London next month.