Sailing: Chris earns UK Keelboat slot

Edinburgh’s Chris Robson has joined 22 of Britain’s aspiring young sailing talents in earning a call up to the British Keelboat Academy as part of a racing initiative.

Forty young sailors from across Britain were invited to UK Sailing’s headquarters in Cowes, Isle of Wight for trials. The weekend comprised of a range of activities to test their sailing abilities and other skills such as the ability to work in teams and perform under pressure.

“The weekend was everything I thought it would be and more, with plenty of mental and physical challenges. The biggest satisfaction I got was sailing with some of the best young sailors in the country,” said Robson, 22. “I feel a great sense of pride in being able to sail competitively and to represent my country which has always been a dream.”

He will be sailing with a BKA crew on board the J/109 ‘Yeoman of Wight’ and campaigning to be one of the British teams competing in the Brewin Dolphin Commodore’s Cup, a prestigious international team competition to be held in Cowes a month before next year’s Olympics.