Daisy Collingridge is RYA East Youth Champion

Bronze for Daisy Collingridge (Laser Radial) in the Youth Sailing World Championships at Sanya, China © Jesus Renedo / Sailing Energy

Daisy Collingridge from Suffolk, a member of Waldringfield Sailing Club, is one of ten promising young sailors from across the UK revealed as winners of the RYA Regional Youth Champion Awards, taking the East Award.

Daisy will receive her trophy at the official awards presentation taking place on Sunday 4 March at the RYA Dinghy Show 2018. The awards will be presented by 49er World Champion and Rio Olympian Dylan Fletcher.

Created in 2014, the RYA Regional Youth Champion Awards recognise the outstanding achievement and performance of young people across the range of activities the RYA represents, including sailing, windsurfing and powerboating.

In just one year Daisy (18) has achieved some fantastic results in the Laser Radial, including winning a bronze medal in the World Sailing Youth World Championships. A significant achievement and the first GBR medal in the Radial girls since Ali Young in 2005. She also became Under 19 RYA Ladies Radial Youth National Champion and 2nd overall (Under 21), and finished 9th in the Ladies Radial Youth World Championships 2017.

Daisy said of her success: "It feels amazing to be presented with the award as a sailor, but ultimately this award celebrates Waldringfield Sailing Club where I learnt to sail and I have received outstanding support over the last year – especially at the ISAF Youth Worlds.

Having progressed from sailing a Cadet to the Laser Radial, Daisy is looking forward to the future, and plans to continue progressing in the Laser Radial and through the RYA pathway. She is planning to sail in the RYA Youth Nationals as well as under-21 events in the Summer, where she is looking to put in some strong performances.

Ian Videlo of Waldringfield Sailing Club, who nominated Daisy, added: "Daisy has really made the most of the opportunity that several of our young sailors have as a result of their time in our Cadet fleet. Her focus and the way she has applied herself to continue to develop her sailing beyond our junior programme through the RYA pathway has been outstanding".

RYA Director of Sport Development Alistair Dickson said: "We're delighted to recognize the achievements of all of these sailors who have all shown lots of hard work, sacrifice and determination to the sport.

"The Awards also help to emphasize the endless support of our many volunteers who work so hard at the club level to give our sailors the best possible start to their future sailing careers."

For more information on the RYA Regional Youth Champion Award visit www.rya.org.uk/go/youthchampion For more about Waldringfield Sailing Club visit waldringfieldsc.com If you'd like to find out more about how to get out on the water and start your sailing adventure visit www.rya.org.uk/go/startboating