Emma Wilson wins SportsAid's One-to-Watch Award

Emma Wilson wins SportsAid's One-to-Watch Award © Paul Wyeth / RYA

Emma Wilson wins SportsAid's One-to-Watch Award © Paul Wyeth / RYA

Emma Wilson wins SportsAid's One-to-Watch Award © Paul Wyeth / RYA

Sixteen-year-old windsurfer Emma Wilson from Christchurch in Dorset has been named by Sir Steven Redgrave as the winner of SportsAid's coveted One-to-Watch Award 2015 at the charity's SportsBall last night (5 November) in London.

With former recipients including diver Tom Daley, sprinter Jodie Williams and Paralympian Hollie Arnold, Emma said it is an incredible honour to see her name alongside some of her idols.

"I've watched them for so many years on TV and hopefully I can become one of them," she told SportsAid.

"It's an amazing feeling. Out of all the amazing athletes put forward, I can't believe that I've been chosen. It's crazy. Windsurfing's not that big so I really can't believe it. To be recognised for my achievements out of so many other great achievements, I really can't believe it."

The award follows an exceptional 12 months for the young sailor who in 2014 won two gold medals at the youth world championships, one in the under-19 age group when she was still just 15 years old, with a performance described by coach Leo McCallin as one of the best he had ever seen in the sport.

"Last year winning the youth world championships was my biggest achievement so far and this ranks almost alongside it," Emma added. "I just can't believe it."

More success has followed this year for Emma, winning a silver medal at the 2015 youth world windsurfing championships in Poland in July and the Yachting Journalists' Association's Young Sailor of the Year Award back in January.

Now preparing for the ISAF Youth World Sailing Championships, which take place in Malaysia next month, Emma was sadly unable to accept the award in person due to ill health but had one of the nation's most successful sportswomen, cycling legend Victoria Pendleton, accept it on her behalf.

Emma says despite the frustration of having to take time out from training recently, she is looking forward to getting back on the water soon.

"I go to the ISAF youth worlds in December and that's my big competition for this year," she explained. "Next year I'll do some more senior World Cup events and then it all builds up in the four-year cycle to 2020 and hopefully I can go to that Olympics.

"The funding [from SportsAid] is incredible, it helps so much, for my parents who fund me a lot and now I'm on the British Sailing Team it's all come together so I can go to more events and get the experience."

The runner-up for tonight's One-to-Watch Award, who joined Steve Redgrave and Victoria Pendleton on stage at the SportsBall in front of 650 SportsAid supporters, is rower Joshua Armstrong.

In third place was sprinter James Arnott from Plymouth who is one of 20 SportsAid athletes to receive support from the Elton John Sports Fund this year.

The One-to-Watch Award is presented every year at SportsAid's SportsBall to recognise the achievements of the country's most promising young athletes who rely on the charity's financial support to become Britain's next Olympic, Paralympic and world champions. In 2013 the award was presented by SportsAid's patron Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge.