Young sportsman award joy for Coventry sailor Brayshaw
by Karenza Morton, RYA 8 Nov 2010 10:27 GMT
Hugh Brayshaw (left, side) and Mike Wood in 420 class action © Paul Wyeth / RYA
Promising Coventry sailor Hugh Brayshaw has capped a memorable 2010 by being named Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire Young Sportsman of the Year.
The 17-year-old talent excelled in the 420 two-person dinghy with crewmate Mike Wood this year, representing RYA Team GBR at the prestigious Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF Youth World Championship in Istanbul in July, the pair having been crowned RYA Volvo Youth National champions three months earlier.
Brayshaw and Wood finished a hugely-creditable sixth on their ISAF Youth Worlds debut, the Championships widely-considered a breeding ground for future Olympians with multiple Olympic gold medallists Ben Ainslie, Iain Percy, Sarah Ayton and Sarah Webb among those to have represented their Britain at the Under 19 event.
The boys also enjoyed success at the 420 Junior Europeans in La Rochelle, France in August where they claimed fifth spot.
Inspired by his dad Russell, Brayshaw learned to sail aged 10 at Draycote Water Sailing Club near Rugby and cites focus as his biggest sailing strength. He admits his biggest goal is to win a gold medal at an Olympics.
The 2010 Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire Sports Awards, which celebrate those who have made a tremendous contribution to sport at all levels and outstanding sporting success across the region, were held at Coventry City FC’s Ricoh Arena on Thursday 4 November.