BARNT Green Sailing Club teenager Harry Marshall has enjoyed a fantastic season on the water.

The 14-year-old won the Midland Area Championship in the Optimist class -- an international youth racing dinghy --for the third year running. Then he clinched fourth place in Optimists at the Eric Twiname Final at Pwllheli last month, which included the top 30 Optimist sailors from each region in the country. He also came first non-national at the Carentec Regatta in France in July.

And Harry's results in three national competitions this year has seen his UK ranking move to tenth in the Optimist class.

Then at the end of season event, the South Bromsgrove High School pupil was awarded the Midas Trophy for sportsmanship, going to the sailor who best epitomises the spirit of the class.

He also scooped a cup for the best result on the second day at the National Championships -- a trophy Sydney Olympic gold medal sailor Ben Ainslie won in 1992.

Harry's mum, Nicola, said: "It was a fun cup to win considering Ben's Olympic success in the laser class."

Three other young Optimist sailors from Barnt Green Sailing Club also made it into the national or intermediate squads this year, which include the top 60 Optimist sailors in the UK.

They are Chris McIntosh (ranked 29th), Kelsey Suggitt (33rd, sixth girl) and Claire Walsh (46th).

Barnt Green Sailing Club are currently working towards Royal Yachting Association Champion Club status which, if achieved, will officially make it a centre of excellence for sailing and training.