A FRENSHAM-based sailing club for disabled people is celebrating a fantastic year – not least having a world championship silver medallist among their ranks.

Lindsay Burns described winning silver in her class at the Hansa World Championships in Japan as “the proudest moment of my life”.

Frensham Pond Sailability member Lindsay was part of a British contingent of nine sailors and 14 volunteers who joined more than 180 other sailors representing 23 countries in Hiroshima.

Light and variable winds proved ideal for Lindsay’s silver salvo while fellow Frensham sailors Paul Phillips, who sailed his Liberty into 13th place, and Margaret Foreman, who was 18th in her class, impressed in Japan.

A spokesman for Frensham Pond Sailability said: “These results show the standards which Sailability sailors can reach and that there is no limit to what can be achieved whatever one’s circumstances. The whole club and all the volunteers join in congratulating Lindsay on her success.”

Lindsay’s world championship heroics capped a fine year for the Frensham club.

The racing squad competed in many races around Britain with success, with Michael Everitt crowned Champion of Champions at the Royal Yachting Association Multiclass Regatta, while several sailors and volunteer helpers had their efforts recognised at the Farnham and Haslemere Sports Awards.

All these successes were recognised at the Sailability end-of-season forum, while other prizes went to sailors who had made notable progress during the year. The awards were presented by Phil Alexander, president of Farnham Lions.

Maureen Spencer received the Endeavour Plate for her progress from beginner to someone who can sail single-handed, while other awards for good performance in the training teams went to Keith Warburton, Paul Phillips, James Woosnam and Peter Etherton.

And Lindsay Burns picked up the Special Achievement Award.

The spokesman added: “Many new members were introduced to sailing for the first time. Even more of them developed to the point where they can sail single-handed and compete in races.”