WITH the first three major events in the 420 calendar for 2012 complete, Westruther sailor Callum Airlie has already achieved selection to the GB team at European and world level.
At the Winter Championships at Grafham Water; the Spring Championships at the Olympic venue of Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, and the RYA Volvo Youth Nationals, at Pwllheli, Callum, with new crewmate Joe Butterworth, achieved excellent positions.
The events formed the selection trials for the GBR teams attending the 420 World Championships, Neusiedler See, Austria and the 420 Junior European Championships, Lake Garda, Italy. The series provided a good mix of conditions over the 18 race series.
After the series were collated, Airlie, 16, achieved seventh place overall, and has been selected as a member of both GBR teams.
After the Higher exam season, it is straight into the international competitions, with Flanders, World Championships and Junior European Championships to attend as part of Team GBR. June will see Callum appearing locally, carrying the Olympic Torch on one of the Borders legs.
Callum is supported by grants from RYA Scotland, Borders Athlete Support Programme, and Bank of Scotland Local Heroes Sportaid programme, which will help with the costs.