Youth Worlds underway

Young talent from 41 countries line up in Madeira

Britain's top youth sailors are set to go head to head against the best youth sailors in the world when they take part in the ISAF Youth Sailing World Championships, which gets underway this weekend.

This prestigious event has paved the way for many of the sailing stars of today with many going on to medal success at the Olympic Games or taking part in the America's Cup, these include British sailors Ben Ainslie and Andy Beadsworth, as well as Russell Coutts, Robert Scheidt, Chris Dickson and Dean Barker.

Representing Great Britain for the 2003 championships will be six sailors from all around the country who have fought off top competition to win their place at the championships.

50 percent of the team is made up of Scottish sailors with Callum MacDonald (18, Dumbarton) sailing with Haakon Karlsen (16, Helensburgh) competing in the boys double hander - the 420 class, Charlotte Dobson (16, Helensburgh) sailing in the girl's single handed class - the Laser Radial, and Peter Bird (16, Lochwinnoch) sailing in the boys sailboard - the Mistral.

The rest of the team comprises of Stephen Powell (16, Hayling Island) who will be sailing in boy's single hander - the Laser Standard, Bethan Carden (17, Barton-on-Sea) and Alison Martin (16, Caversham) who will be sailing together in the girls double hander - the 420, and Steph Thompson (16, Wokingham) who will be competing in the girls sailboard - the Mistral.

The team will face stiff competition from 43 countries and 188 fellow competitors for the much-coveted title of ISAF Youth Sailing World Champion. Added to this will be a number of personal goals in the form of family rivalry; Stephen will be hoping to repeat his brother Mark's success when he won gold at this event in 2001 and Alison will be looking to better her cousins sixth place finish, previously achieved at this event.

The championship gets underway tomorrow with racing taking place on three different courses on Caniçal Bay. Racing continues through until Friday 25th July with Tuesday 22nd scheduled as a lay day.