STEPHEN Penfold is taking on some of the world's top sailors as he competes for Great Britain at the European Championships in Spain.

The 20-year-old from Wootton Bassett is making his second appearance at the championships, which began on Thursday, July 6, having made his international debut when they were held at Hayling Island last year.

Penfold sails a Europe, a ten-foot single-handed dinghy, and is the top British male in his category.

He travelled down to Spain as part of the squad of eight. He qualified for the team by winning two national events this year and securing several other top placings.

The Cheltenham College student said: I'd say it was a bit ambitious to look to win. I'm just looking forward to holding my own in the middle of the fleet.

The British squad go as a team, but we race as individuals. I am aiming to be the top British sailor. There is a bit of rivalry between us.

Penfold has just been made the first youth squadron captain at South Cerney Sailing Club in the Cotswold water park.

He has been sailing since the age of 13, starting off in a two-man cadet but graduating to the Europe, which is ideally suited to someone who is fairly light.