A YOUNG sailor from Wilmslow has been selected to join two prestigious sailing squads following a number of impressive performances in her Topper dinghy.

Twelve-year-old Abigail Easton will represent her age group in the RYA West (UK) Zone Squad and the International Topper Class Association (ITCA) GBR Topper 4.2 National Squad for the 2009/10 season. Selection was based on Abigail’s performances, as a single-handed sailor, in a series of regional and national competitions together with a final two-day qualifier.

Abigail, a student at Manchester High School for Girls, said: "I am absolutely thrilled with this news. I only started sailing four years ago but since I joined Redesmere Sailing Club I have developed a real passion for the sport."

"I find sailing so exhilarating, especially when you have to battle against the elements. My favourite race to date was during the 2009 Nationals at Pwllheli.

It was the first time that I had raced on the sea but the thrill of competing against the strong winds and waves was fantastic. I am now determined to improve on each performance and I do hope to be part of Team GB one day."

Great Britain is the most successful Olympic sailing nation in the world and the RYA National Junior Squad programme supports around 170 of the most talented British sailors aged 11 to 16 years.

It offers youngsters access to a world class training programme which is designed to help them achieve international success in the future. For the West Zone Squad, Abigail will attend six training weekends at both inland and coastal sailing clubs across the North West.

Abigail will be one of the first sailors to join the new Topper GBR 4.2 National Squad, consisting of 13 other members from around the UK; all aged 11 to 13 years. They will participate in four weekends of training under the direction of the RYA National Coach, Mr Dave Cockerill.

In terms of racing, Abigail will compete in the week-long Nationals at Pwllheli and she will be expected to sail in up to eight major two-day regattas around the UK in 2010, including one at the 2012 Olympic venue, Weymouth.