Hanna Brant is keen to make the most of competing against some of the world’s best young sailors after being selected in the Great Britain team for the Summer Youth Olympic Games (YOG).
The 15-year-old, from Oxford Sailing Club, has been picked for the Byte CII class at the event in Nanjing, China next month.
Brant, a pupil at St Helen & St Katharine School in Abingdon, cannot wait to get started.
She said: “I’m so excited to be part of Team GB. I can’t wait to get my hands on the kit and have the chance to compete for Great Britain – it’s an amazing feeling to have been selected.
“I’ve been training hard for Nanjing and I think I’ll learn a lot from the international experience and racing in the conditions that Lake Jinniu has to offer.”
The second YOG will see about 3,600 young people from more than 200 countries in action.
Offering a chance to take part in an international multi-sport environmen, it is seen as a key stepping stone for athletes on the way to competing at the senior Olympics.
The Royal Yachting Association’s Flip Foulds, who will be Brant’s head coach in China, said: “I know Hanna can’t wait for Nanjing 2014 and I think I’m equally excited about it.
“It’s going to be great international experience for Hanna, not only sailing abroad but also competing in a purely female field.
“Her main aim is to improve on her European Youth Games result in the Byte class, which was a third place, and I know she’s been working hard towards that.”
Sarah Winckless, Team GB’s Chef de Mission, said: “This is a great time to be a young British athlete and Nanjing 2014 provides the perfect springboard for budding Olympians to gain valuable experience at a multi-sport event and as part of Team GB.
“Youth Olympic Games offer the chance for young athletes to experience life in an Olympic Village, mix with competitors from different sports and nationalities, and are given the chance to grow as individuals as well as athletes.
“These events have helped shape the careers of Team GB Olympic stars such as Jade Jones and we hope the same will be said for Nanjing.”
The four sailing events will take place at Jinniu Lake from August 18-23.
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