Fife’s Ewan Wilson has vowed to come back stronger after narrowly missing a medal at the 2019 Youth Sailing World Championships.
The 16-year-old, who sails with Wormit Boating Club, represented the British Youth Sailing Team in the boys’ 29er fleet, alongside crew Fin Armstrong at the prestigious regatta in Gydnia, Poland.
But despite ending the competition in fourth place, just two points off bronze after being in medal contention all week, Ewan firmly believes he can follow in the footsteps of some of the sport’s greats over the coming years.
Previous Youth Worlds participants include some of today’s best-known sailors including the world’s most decorated Olympic sailor Sir Ben Ainslie and 2008 Beijing gold medallist Pippa Wilson.
“It was a great event, and totally different to any other that we have done,” he said.
“It all came down to the smallest of margins. We have learned a lot this week, and know now that we have to move on from our mistakes and not dwell on them.”
Ewan and Fin, who sails with the Royal Torbay Yacht Club, were picked for the British Youth Sailing Team following their winning performance at the recent Royal Yachting Association Youth National Championships.
It was their second Youth Worlds, having finished eighth at last year’s regatta in Corpus Christi, Texas.
“We are back in Gdynia next week for the 29er World Championships so will take what we’ve learned this week into that regatta and hopefully we can go one better,” he added.
Ewan was among 14 of the country’s most promising young sailors representing Great Britain at the Youth Sailing World Championships.
Jonny McGovern, the RYA’s Youth Worlds team leader, said he could not be more proud of the attitude from his athletes.
“They all showed a really professional approach and worked well together to keep fighting all week,” he said.
“We had a real mix of conditions throughout the competition and it was great to see so many in contention for medals going into the last day.
“The experience the sailors gained this week will give them a great springboard to build on in the future.
“I’m very proud to have been associated with such a talented group of sailors. Now on to the next start line.”
