ADAM Purcell was presented with the prestigious RYA North West Young Sailor of the Year Award 2009 at the Tullet Prebon London International Boat Show.

The award was presented to the Macclesfield youngster earlier this month by Olympic sailing legend and fellow Maxonian, Ben Ainslie.

Adam, 14, learned to windsurf at Team Astbury, an RYA Team 15 Windsurfing Club, and is now a top windsurfer on the world stage.

His highlight in 2009 was taking the Bronze medal at the Techno World Championships in Weymouth in August of this year. He was sailing in a quality fleet of 66 boards.

Adam’s rise to his current pre-eminence has been helped by his membership of the RYA BIC Techno National Junior Squad, which provided excellent training opportunities and was the passport to Adam going to events across the length and breadth of the country, then later to European and World Championships.

Adam was voted RYA North West Regional Young Sailor of the Year 2009 last autumn.

On Saturday, he was among 13 RYA Regional Young Sailor of the Year winners who were voted for by RYA affiliated sailing clubs.

These young sailors have all made a great impact on youth sailing, ranging from gold medal winning achievements and overcoming adversity, to the huge amount of hard work and effort they give back to their clubs.

Adam and his family were treated to an action packed VIP day at the show, thanks to Pantaenius Yacht Insurance.