A Chorley sailor is keeping it in the family after being part of the winning North West two man crew at the Sea Cadet National Sailing Championships.
Alex Pilkington has been dinghy racing since he was five years old and is now set to follow in the footsteps of his father Andrew who took part in the BT Global Challenge Round World Yacht Race in 1996.
The 17-year-old Runshaw College student took to the high seas in a GP14 Masters event which pits the countries best sailing pairs against each other and along with Ian Platt – one of the top GP sailors - won the event.
He said: "It is quite difficult in comparison to other sports as it is both physically and mentally demanding. "As the crew member at the front of the boat you have to bring sails around then at the same time look out for other boats and make sure your balance of the ship is right.
"However that all comes with experience and I have been doing it since I was five years old.
"I want to carry on winning competitions and do better than my dad. When I am older I would like to move onto bigger yachts and maybe compete in the Olympics but I am just taking it a step at a time.
"The sport has an increased profile since the last Olympics and I think people do not know there is a club on their doorstep at Bolton Sailing Club."
Alex was also in action at the Southport 24-hour race and finished in second place but is looking forward to returning to action on November 1 in Windsford Flash for the GP14 Youth competition.
Proud mother Carol Pilkington said: "We are very proud of his achievements over the past few months and hope that he can continue to progress in the sport.
"You could say it was in his blood as both his father and I have sailed all our lives and we are just happy about how he is doing."
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