BUDDING young sailor Robert Richardson has really made a splash this year.

The 14-year-old, who lives in Windermere and is a member of Ullswater Yacht Club and Royal Windermere Yacht Club, has won a mountain of trophies racing a Mirror class dinghy this season.

With crew member Sandy Simpson and owner of the Mirror called Mischief, the Queen Katherine School pupil has travelled all over the country competing against the nation's best young sailors.

Mirror events they have won include: Nationals at South Caernarvonshire YC, four first places, fifth overall, second junior; Youth Nationals at Carsington SC, first junior, second overall; Northern Championships at Dee SC, first; South West Championships at Looe SC, first; Inland Championships at Beaver, third overall; RYA South Zone Championships at Weymouth and Portland, second and first Bass Week at Bassenthwaite SC.

Richardson is now moving on to join up with his friend Ethan Leahy, who goes to Winderemere School, to race a 29er dinghy.

He will be crewing the high performance trapeze boat with Leahy on the helm.

His Mirror crew Sandy, from Annan, who is also a member of Ullswater Yacht Club, is to continue racing the Mirror with his brother Douglas.

As he says goodbye to his Mirror dinghy, Richardson would like to thank all the people who have helped make his national success in the class possible - a grant from Active Cumbria Active; sailing kit from John McAfee of Neil Pryde; Goacher and North Sails; Paul Hargreaves photographer, the RYA's onBoard scheme; staff from the Low Wood Watersports Centre, Windermere and his family and friends.

He said: "So many people have supported me. I couldn't have done it all without so much help from everyone. I have loved sailing the Mirror. I will miss being part of the Mirror family but it is time to move on and now I am looking forward to a new challenge in the 29er with Ethan."