Penryn College student Benno Marstaller, aged 12 from Mylor Bridge, has qualified for the Britsh European’s Optimist Sailing Team.

Weymoth and Portland National Sailing Academy played host to the UK Optimist Selection Trials, held over the bank holiday weekend (May 4 to 7). The top 100 Optimist sailors completed in a 15-race series over four days in Portland Harbour and in Weymouth Bay, for the honour of representing GBR in this year’s World and European teams. The top 12 GBR sailors qualify to compete in the World and in the European Championships.

Ben Ainslie and 470 Olympic sailor Hannah Mills, both members of the GBR Olympic team, competed in the Optimist Selection Trails.

The race team was led by Olympic race officer Adrian Stoggall and protests were heard by the USA and Danish judges who were umpiring the USA and Dutch match racing trails in Weymouth.

Looking around the Harbour there were famous Olympians on the water, USA's Zach Railey and GBR 49er, 470, RSX and 420s.

The racing was challenging in a top class fleet, dealing with shifty conditions, tough starts and sailing in the Bay.

There is a lot of prestige attached to a sailors CV in making a team and Benno is excited about his success in a ‘cutting edge’ event which he competed in with a new sail by Landenberger OneDesign Sails. Benno is most greatful to his coaches Mr. Ed Shelton and Dr. Phil Slater.

The British Europeans Team with RYA National Coach A Williams and Benno Marstaller will be at the IODA European Championships in Lignano/Italy from June 28 to July 8.