North Wales sailor set in the Radial class at the New Zealand Youth Worlds
by Hamish Stuart, RYA Cymru-Wales 14 Dec 2016 18:51 GMT
14-20 December 2016
Daniel Whiteley © Nick Dempsey Photography / British Sailing Team
North Wales sailor Dan Whiteley is preparing to represent Great Britain at the Youth Sailing World Championships, aiming to improve on his bronze medal last year.
The 18-year-old has moved from Pwllheli to join the British Sailing Team in Weymouth and Portland to boost his chances, as one of a fourteen strong British team when the championships get underway in Auckland, New Zealand, this Friday (16-20 December).
The selected British sailors, competing across nine events, will experience their Christmas countdown in the southern hemisphere as they get set to take on around 270 the world's best under 19-year-old sailors from 66 nations out on the Hauraki Gulf.
The 17-year-old windsurfer Emma Wilson and Laser Radial sailor Whiteley will both be seeking upgrades to their respective silver and bronze medals from the 2015 edition of the event in Malaysia, with Jack King-James Butters also experiencing their second Youth Worlds, albeit in a new boat – the Nacra 15 multihull.
Both Wilson and Whiteley have joined the British Sailing Team ranks with an eye on future Olympic campaigns. North Walian Whiteley has been training in Weymouth and Portland alongside more senior sailors in both the Laser Radial and Laser Standard fleets.
"I have moved to Weymouth so I can train every day and I am just making sure that I'm quick, good at boat handling and prepared for the Youth Worlds," he explained.
"I came third last year and I was happy with that. I want to do better, but sailing is uncertain so I will give it my best shot."
The Youth Sailing World Championships is a proven talent indicator, with past notable British winners including Olympic champions Ben Ainslie, Sarah Ayton and Giles Scott.
Unlike other international events the sailors compete at, the Youth Worlds provides equipment for all the classes, an additional challenge for all the team at the regatta where, just like the Olympic Games, nations can only field one crew per event.
RYA Youth Racing Manager Mark Nicholls said: "We have sent a full British team to this year's Youth Worlds which includes 2015 and 2016 international medallists.
"Since selection earlier this summer all of the team have been working hard to produce their top performance in December. This is the strongest team we have sent for a number of years and I think we are in with a great chance of all the sailors delivering their best personal performances."
Racing starts on 16 December and you can see the full results on the Youth Worlds website, and follow the team on the British Youth Sailing Team Facebook and Twitter.