WAVE-MAKING sailor Robert Richardson has steered his boat to success on national waters.

The 14-year-old, from Windermere, has won a mountain of trophies racing In his Mirror class dinghy this season.

Richardson, a pupil at Queen Katherine School, Kendal, and a member of both Ullswater Yacht Club and Royal Windermere Yacht Club, has battled the best sailors in the country.

With crewman Sandy Simpson, he has travelled across the land with his boat Mischief, winning titles along the way.

The duo showed up well in the Mirror Nationals at South Caernarvonshire YC with four first places from their races to finish fifth overall and second junior.

In the Youth Nationals at Carsington SC, there was no stopping the pair as they finished as first junior and second overall.

Added to these successes were first places in the Northern Championships at Dee SC and the South West Championships at Looe SC.

There were also podium finishes at the Inland Championships at Beaver, where one first place in the races helped him to third overall, and at RYA South Zone Championships at Weymouth and Portland, where they team came second.

Closer to home, Richardson enjoyed success in the Bass Week at Bassenthwaite SC, where he was top of the pile.

The youngster has spent the last three years training with the Mirror Northern squad under RYA coach Dave Woodhead.

He has also had a year in the RYA Mirror National squad, trained by Tim Rush from North Sails.

Richardson recently spent three days in Manchester on the Sainsbury’s Talent Inspiration Programme, as one of 200 young athletes from across the country selected to take part in a residential learning experience.

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

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

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

Richardson thanked all the people who have helped make his national success in the class possible.

He has received a grant from Active Cumbria; sailing kit from John McAfee, of Neil Pryde; and also thanked Goacher and North Sails, Paul Hargreaves photographer, the RYA’s OnBoard scheme; Paul, Gary and staff from the Low Wood Watersports Centre, Windermere and his family and friends.

Richardson 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.”