Izzy Hamilton on her way to winning RS:X world youth championships in Limassol, Cyprus. Photo: RS:X Class Association
World gold for student windsurfer
University of Exeter student Izzy Hamilton is on top of the world again after clinching a second successive gold medal at windsurfing's RS:X World Youth Championships.
The windsurfing competition was held in Cyprus and having been crowned Britain’s first ever windsurfing world youth champion at last year’s event in Turkey, Hamilton defended her title with an impressive 16 point lead in Limassol.
The 18-year-old first year geography student from Bude in Cornwall is also a high performance sports scholar at the University of Exeter. She beat 38 other up and coming young stars to the RS:X world youth title after six days of racing in Cyprus. Hamilton added gold to her silver medals from the multi-class Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship in Turkey and RS:X European Championship in Poland, in July.
As a member of the RYA Volvo National Youth Squad and Skandia Team GBR Development Squad, Hamilton asserted her rank, leading the pack for the first two days in what were the young sailor’s least favoured light conditions. She pushed hard on the third day overtaking the leader, Poland’s Hanna Zembrzuska by one point. Stronger winds were promised for the end of the week which is Hamilton’s forte. She held her nerve, was consistent and racked up a huge lead on the penultimate day guaranteeing a silver medal or better from Saturday’s double point medal race.
On Saturday the medal race was cancelled due to a lack of sufficient wind on the racecourse. As a consequence, titles were decided on Friday’s results giving Hamilton an emphatic victory and a second consecutive world youth title.
Hamilton said, ‘We had a complete mix of conditions and I had good results most days so that’s why I’ve come out on top, it’s about consistency. I’m really happy to finally have made first this year after coming second in Turkey at the ISAF’s and second at the Euros. I’m just so happy to finish on top at my last youth event it’s so good to finish it off on a massive high.’
Nick Beasant, Assistant Director of Sport (Performance & Competitions) is delighted with Hamilton’s continued success. He said ‘This is yet another great result for Izzy which is testament to both her ability and dedication as well the coaching and support team around her. Previously we have been able to assist Izzy through TASS at our Exeter South West hub. Now she has joined the University as an undergraduate, we are able to continue to support her through our sports scholarship scheme and high performance programme.’
He added, ‘Our excellent partnership with the RYA ensures our service delivery dovetails that of the Skandia Team GBR programme, thus offering continuous high level support throughout the year, wherever Izzy maybe in the world.’
Date: 2 November 2010
