A YOUNG sailor from Liphook was named Junior Sportsman of the Year at the 2018 East Hampshire District Council’s Sports Awards.

Luke Anstey, a member of Frensham Pond Sailing Club, was shortlisted from 25 nominees, and presented with his award by Olympic silver medallist Roger Black and marathon man Ben Smith at a glittering ceremony held at Griggs Green’s Old Thorns Hotel.

Luke has been selected onto the British Youth Sailing Pathway which runs from junior level to the Olympic squad.

He is also part of the RYA UK Junior Squad – RS Feva – and has achieved and exceeded in the top 10 positions in all six major RS Tera Events.

The youngster won his first national RS Tera End of Season Championship in 2017, as well as winning the Signet National Championship.

Luke is ranked third nationally and came 15th in the World Championships and is set to try and emulate the success of another Hampshire sailor Sir Ben Ainsley.

He was one of the first to sail RS Teras when he started in his club five years ago and now inspires over 30 young people to follow in his footsteps.

The sailor intends to complete his RYA assistant instructor accreditation in 2018 to help with training.