Aviemore girl scores hat-trick to be crowned world champ

Windsurfing:

Aviemore windsurfer Islay Watson has been crowned world youth sailing champion with a day to spare in the championships in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Starting racing in third place on the third day, Watson had a day she will never forget taking three race wins to crown an amazing gold medal-winning performance in the girls’ RS:X.

This trio of wins saw Watson leapfrog rivals Veerle ten Have, of New Zealand, and Italy’s Gio Speciale into an unassailable position at the top of the table.

Watson said: “It was a cool day, great conditions. They suited me and I made the most of it.

“I knew I was only a few points away and I went into the day thinking I can get three firsts and get up there, and that’s what I did.”

The 18-year-old Scot has been pushing for podium places all week long, learning and improving every day which culminated in her impressive title winning race win streak.

She said: “Today my downwinds were a lot better and I didn’t make many mistakes on the laylines. That’s what kept me in front. I’m pretty tired at this point.

“The days have been long; a long week with big conditions. It’s been tough.”

Watson’s mother Kim, who is back home at Aviemore, said: “We’re delighted as it has been a fantastic journey. We can’t wait to get her home to celebrate properly.

“It is her first big win

“The conditions suited me and so I made the most of it”

when we aren’t there so we are really looking forward to meeting our new world champion. With her last race tonight we hope she enjoys it and is able to take it all in.”

Watson’s home club on Loch Insh are hosting a Team 15 windsurfing event this weekend, aimed at junior windsurfers with The Highlander providing some real inspiration for the younger sailors taking part and the Scot has enjoyed her week in the United States.

She said: “Trying to get used to the conditions has been fun. It’s a different style of racing and I feel we are getting the hang of it a bit now.”

Watson’s male counterpart Isaac Lines, from Dunoon, sits in 12th with the chance to pick up a possible place or two in the final races.

In the boys’ 29er another Scot taking part team is Fife’s Ewan Wilson sailing with crew Fin Armstrong from Totnes who is eighth overall after winning the first race of the penultimate day.