REDNOCK School pupil Thomas Sully has been rewarded for his fine 2009 season by being voted Bristol Channel Yacht person of the Year.

The 15-year-old, a member of the Skandia Team GBR National Youth Squad, won the award after clinching the South West Travellers Championship and coming an amazing sixth in the 2009 Topper National Championships. The nationals were held at Phwelli, North Wales, and attracted over 300 entries. The wind strength over the course of the week was fairly light with a consistent swell that rewarded those who were able to maintain good boat speed.

Going into the last race of the 15 race series, a top three slot was on the cards but Sully was judged to have been over the line at the start and the chance was lost.

Sully won the South West championships after competing at seven different events all over the area on different weekends, with close competition coming from other squad sailors in the area.

He was nominated for the Bristol Channel award by a fellow member of Thornbury sailing club, and was voted to win by fellow yachting enthusiasts in the South West area.

Sully is now entering his last year as a Topper sailor and, with the National Squad Winter Training now underway, he has high hopes for the next season.