NATHALIE Cole from Offenham near Evesham won the Youth Race-board 7.5 fleet to become national champion at the Youth and Masters National windsurfing championships at Wey-mouth.

Sailing in a fleet combined with the Olympic class fleet, the 16-year-old was also awarded the bronze medal for the girls youth IMCO class, hot on the heels of Team GBR's two national representatives at the World Championships.

She is particularly pleased with this achievement having trained and raced hard all season to regain form following a serious injury late in 2002.

In only her second year of racing, Nathalie's latest success follows her 2002 junior wins as 5.5m South West Zone champion and first girl at the RYA Eric Twiname Championships.

She is currently studying for her 'A' Levels at Prince Henry's High School, Evesham.

Nathalie learnt to windsurf at Aztec Watersports near Pershore and became involved in racing through the RYA Team 15 initiative. She trains and coaches with the South West Zone squad.