A YOUNG Droitwich sailor is on the lookout for sponsorship as she prepares for a prestigious international event next month.

Carrie Vaughan, of Elgar Crescent, will compete in the World Open 420 Championships for two-person boats, in Ravenna, Italy, in July.

She has received help from Volvo in Bury St Edmunds to help her to reach the summer events, but to maintain this level of sailing a substantial amount of money is needed.

Carrie and her crew partner, Rachel Larman, also from Bury St Edmunds, will be among several British crews taking part in the event, competing against sailors from around the globe. The 18-year-old travels to Germany to take part in a warm up event this month.

Champion club

Carrie has sailed since she was seven years old at Barnt Green Sailing Club, which recently became a RYA/Volvo Champion Club.

She is taking A-levels this summer and hopes to go to Cardiff University to study pharmacy later this year.

Despite their achievements, Carrie and Rachel are unsure of the road ahead, but they would like to take the step up to sailing Olympic Class 470 boats -- if they get the financial backing needed to compete at that level.

"We're looking for several businesses prepared to give us commercial sponsorship over the course of the next year," she said.

"If we can get that we would like to continue sailing together in a 470 and compete at the highest level -- the Olympic Games is a dream."

"We haven't had much training and we would have to do a lot of catching up to do. We have no idea how we compare in the world but we want to be one of the top four British boats."

The girls were selected for the championships earlier this year after taking part in the trials. They have also taken part in competitions around the UK and in Belgium and have trained with Olympic coaches.

If you can help Carrie, call her on 07971 650071.