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A YOUNG sailor from the Borders has been making waves on the national circuit.

Callum Airlie, 12, from Westruther, lifted the Scottish Championship for Junior Sailing in July and, sailing in the UK Nationals last month was presented with a brand new Optimist (Oppie) sailing dinghy after winning his age-group event.

A member of St Mary’s Loch sailing club, Callum started attending Earlston High School after the summer break and is following in the wake of elder siblings Drew and Ewan who also enjoy success on the water.

Back in July, Dalgety Bay was the host for the Scottish Championships of Optimists (manned by sailors under the age of 16), sponsored by Artemis Investment Management. This was the fifth event on the two classes’ joint Travellers circuit in Scotland, while for the Optimists it was also a UK Grand Prix.

The Saturday of the event was grey and damp, and competitors had to make the most of the light breezes to overcome tidal currents.

In the Oppies the visitors were generally on top, with Matt Foskett from Staunton Harold in Derbyshire taking first overall. A trio of wins on the Sunday gave him the verdict on the tie break but Callum came in first Scot, taking third overall in the competition.

The International Optimist Class UK National Championships (junior dinghy sailing) took place in Weymouth in August.

And, in addition to the normal races of senior fleet (129 sailors aged 13 to 15), and junior fleet (145 sailors aged 12 and under), there was also a competition to win a new boat donated by the John Merricks Sailing Trust. It was decided that the winner would be someone aged 12 or under, sailing a boat that was at least five years old, who had gained the highest overall position in junior fleet at the championships.

Thirty two boats met the criteria so their sailors were eligible for the competition – with Callum the only Scottish entrant. It very quickly became apparent on day one that it was going to be largely a two-boat race between Callum and Sasha Bruml from Lymington.

With 12 races in the championships, a tense week followed with both young sailors alternating in the lead. And down it came to the final day’s sailing. This started badly as there was no wind in the morning and racing was delayed. The children, though exhausted by their hard work, had three races left with everything was to play for.

Callum was behind Sasha after the first race, beat him in the second, but was again behind him on the third. When all the results were complied, Callum finished in 30th place overall with 140 points and Sasha in 31st with 143 points. The new Optimist was won by a mere three points.

In addition to winning the new boat, Callum also won the trophy for highest placed Scottish junior, and the Scottish area award. Not bad for a kid from a small sailing club in the Borders.

Source: Fiona Scott, Southern Reporter