Hannah on the crest of a wave (From Penarth Times)

Hannah on the crest of a wave

A DINAS Powys Sailing sensation has scooped one of the sport's most prestigious prizes.

14-year-old Hannah Mills is the youngest ever to be crowned the Volvo Musto Optimist National Champion - and she did it with two races in hand.

The talented teenager, who has recently returned from competing at the Optimist World Championships in Texas, where she finished an impressive ninth overall, has had a brilliant Championships Her consistent sailing included seven first places ended her Championship clear by 33 points, from her nearest British rival.

She said: 'After the World Championships I was hoping to do well at this event. I am very proud to be crowned the National Champion, especially as I am the first girl to win this event and also that the Championship has taken place in Wales.'

This is the fourth time that Pwllheli Sailing Club, North Wales has hosted the Volvo Musto Optimist National Championships 2002, but this event has broken all previous entrant records. Two hundred and ninety fours sailors were competing including a number of entries from America, Holland, Germany, France and Ireland.

The Optimist is the most popular dinghy class and the majority of the world's best sailors learnt to sail in it. 90 percent of the sailors who competed at the Sydney Olympic Games learnt to sail in an Optimist. Ben Ainslie, who won silver at the 1996 and Gold at the 2000 Olympic Games in the Laser Class, won the Optimist National Championships in 1992.

Director of Press and PR at Volvo Car UK John Lefley said: 'Another excellent week of Youth Sailing. The enthusiasm and the skills they demonstrate are to be commended.'