After a winter of training in all wind and sea conditions the team of Jon Cook and Tom Phipps (15) travelled north to their first UK catamaran event of the year at Rutland Water near Peterborough. In winds of 18 knots, gusting 25 knots, the duo was put straight to the test sailing the new style Hobie 16 racing catamaran with an extra down wind sail and electrifying performance.

Despite some pretty spectacular capsizes the team managed to maintain their skill in boat handling and tactics to take first place after some close racing and high speed sailing from other teams who pushed the Cornish team all the way.

The team have travelled back to Cornwall to train at their Windsport base in Mylor Harbour before competing in the UK Isaf Youth Nationals in North Wales over the Easter period.

The Isaf youth nationals is a key event for all youth sailors who wish to make national sailing squad, it is also the event where the final decision on which team is selected to represent the UK at the ISAF Youth Worlds in Poland later in July. Only one team from each class can be selected.

The Cornish team have already been selected to by the Royal Yachting Association to represent the UK at the prestigious Hobie 16 world championships in Mexico starting early May, 300 teams competing for 65 places in the final round. They will be up against some of the world's best catamaran sailors who have sailed this boat for many years more than the Cornish team of Jon and Tom who are just 15 years old. With their time cut out with racing and training in the run up to the events in our chilly UK conditions, plus school work to keep on track, the team have much to think about and plan before going out to do battle in the warmer Gulf of Mexico waters.

The team have trained and raced hard to get where they are now, but they have been more than grateful for the support of theirlocal Cornish sponsors who have responded to the team's dedication by pledging funding to help the team, without which the team could not raise the money to attend such prestigious events. With the support of WCA Associates Penryn, Holywell Bay Leisure Park Newquay, Spec Savers Falmouth, Windsport Mylor, and a number of private individuals the team is set to continue their course towards Olympic catamaran sailing.

Tom Phipps said: "Without the sponsors we would be a promising team going nowhere. We thank them all, welcome any others that would like to support us and promise to do our best and keep them informed."