Promising windsurfers Martin and Rogers eye more success at Youth Olympics

Posted: Tuesday 13th July 2010 | 12:03

TWO sailors from the land-locked Midlands will be looking for success on ocean wave at next month's Youth Olympic Games.

HOPEFUL: Kieran Martin, who won the under-15 world title last year, will be among the British medal contender at the Youth Olympic Games (Paul Wyeth/RYA)

Jade Rogers and Kieran Martin - who were both born in Stoke-on-Trent - have been named in the women's and men's windsurfing events for the inaugural Games in Singapore.

Martin, 15, won last year's world age group title and is targeting a top five finish while Ward will be looking to crack the top ten after a 12th place finish at last year's World Championships.

"It's an honour to be a part of such a major event," she said.

"Being part of Team GB with loads of other amazing athletes is pretty cool. Kieran and I both live in Cheadle in the Midlands which is about as far away from the sea as you can get.

"We learnt to windsurf on Carsington Reservoir so you don't have to live by the sea to be a good windsurfer - we've definitely proved that!"

Despite his world title, Martin believes Singapore will represent a step up in competition - with athletes aged between 14 and 18 competing in the event, which is the brainchild of International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge.

“It’ll be quite different to what I’m used to though - at the Worlds you get loads of people there where as this is just the top people out of every country,” he said.

“The competition is going to be tough and hard fought because of that but I’ll just go out there and try and do my best.

"It’ll be a learning experience and it’ll give us a good idea what the Olympics might be like to compete at and what it’s like to compete at a much higher level.”

Lloyds TSB, proud partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and supporter of Team GB on their journey to the 2010 Singapore Youth Olympic Games. Visit LloydsTSB.com/London2012

National sports agency Sportsbeat and morethanthegames.com will be reporting from the Singapore and syndicating words and pictures to their network of regional and local newspapers across Great Britain.