OLYMPIC success is the ultimate target for a young man from Ramsbottom named this week as North West Young Sailor of the Year in the British Nautical Awards.

St Gabriel's RC High School pupil Andrew Brooks (14), has enjoyed an extremely successful year, claiming the First Junior title in the National Championships, the Inland National Championships and in squad training.

The British sailing squad member was also first overall in the Royal Yachting Association North West Junior Travellers and the Under 14s winner.

He said: "I am delighted to have won this award. My aims for the future are to represent England at an international level of sailing, hopefully even at the Olympics." Andrew has been sailing since the age of nine and is a member at Elton Sailing Club and the Leigh and Lowton Sailing Club.

The award is organised in conjunction with the Royal Yachting Association through its 13 regions and is open to those under 19 years of age on December 31 1999. From the nominations received, the Yachting Journalists' Association (YJA) committee, with advice from representatives of the Royal Yachting Association and the British Marine Industries Federation, select a short-list of three from which the YJA members elect the overall winner.

The results of all categories in the British Nautical Awards, dubbed the Oscars of the British boating scene, will be announced in London on Friday January 7 during a special Millennium boat show ball at the London Hilton, Park Lane.

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