A WINDERMERE schoolboy is national champion after victory in the Laser Inland Championships.

Joe Baker, a Windermere School pupil, saw off the challenge of 35 other hopefuls to take the trophy at Grafham Water, Cambridgeshire.

In possibly the lightest winds he has ever sailed in, Baker secured fourth place in race one and, despite a poor start, came from the back of the fleet to pull away and win race two.

Xu Lijia, the 2012 Olympic gold medallist in the women’s Laser Radial class and flag bearer for China at the closing London ceremony, presented him with his trophy.

Baker was thrilled with his achievement, but remains focused on what lies ahead.

“I want to continue my journey with the GB sailing team and learn as much as I can and then put it all into practice and win races,” he said. “My ultimate ambition is simple – to be the best that I can be.”

Graeme Rowe, a Royal Yachting Association principal and chief sailing instructor at Windermere School was delighted at Baker's result.

He said: “We are all so proud of Joe. This is a fantastic result, the first of many I’m sure, and is a reflection of the effort he has put into his sailing over the last few years.”

Windermere school headmaster Ian Lavender added, “I would like to congratulate Joe Baker for becoming the national champion in his class in sailing.

“This is a huge achievement and one of which the whole school can be proud.”

In 2014, Windermere School became the first in the UK to be awarded RYA Champion Club status.

Champion clubs are recognised as being centres of excellence for junior race training and racing and many form the very foundation of the British Sailing Teams.

At the time, Rowe said he was looking forward to working with the RYA and to producing talented sailors.

One year on, he is just as keen, and said: “When we became the first school to achieve RYA Champion Club status – this time last year in fact – we knew that working with the RYA would take us to the next level.

“Now we’re there, we remain absolutely dedicated to providing as many opportunities as possible for the students.

“I hope Joe’s success is the first of many for the school.”