SAILING ace Teddy Ferguson is celebrating after being crowned national champion.

The Windermere School pupil – and crew-mate Ewan Wilson – sailed their way to gold at the RS Feva Inland Championships.

Ferguson and Wilson – from Wormit Sailing Club, in Fife, were the best team on the waves at Draycote Water Sailing Club in Warwickshire.

They saw off the challenge of 45 other crews to take the title, with Windermere School duo Pierce Harris and Alfie Cogger finishing as runners-up.

Theo and Felix Stewart, also from the school, finished 23rd.

The championships took place over the course of the weekend, but light winds on the Sunday meant no racing was possible.

However, in decent conditions on the Saturday, Ferguson and Wilson managed to secure first place in two out of the five races, along with second place and seventh-placed finishes, ensuring victory with a net score of 11.

Ferguson was thrilled with the result, and said: “It was tough and we were pushed hard all the way, but it’s a fantastic feeling to be the Inland Champions.

“I want to say well done to everyone who took part in the championships. The conditions weren’t perfect, but we’ve all had a great weekend.”

Harris and Cogger were quick to congratulate the champions, and said: “They both sailed really well and played the shifts, so many congratulations to them on becoming champions.”

Windermere School head Ian Lavender added: “I would like to congratulate Teddy for his tremendous achievement, one which demands dedication, not just from Teddy, but from all of those involved.

“I would particularly like to thank Graeme Rowe, our chief sailing instructor, for his expert coaching, the students for their willingness to learn and get involved and, most especially, the parents for the huge distances they have travelled to enable these students to compete at the highest level.”

Ferguson’s success comes on the back of a successful week, where Windermere students took part in the RS Feva National Championships in Torbay and the RS Feva European Championships, at Club Nautique de Versoix, in Switzerland.

Younger pupils also enjoyed sailing success when teams from five schools attended the Northern Prep Schools Regatta, at Killington Lake.

The event was close and provided exciting racing for the spectators, but it was a team from Windermere School who lifted the trophy.

Tom Johnson, who was part of the winning team, was quick to thank those involved, and said: “Many thanks to Mr Rowe for all the training and advice, and not forgetting all of the support and encouragement from our parents and helpers.”

Rowe, a Royal Yachting Association principal, was thrilled with the results.

“We have had some fantastic results recently, and all of our students who have taken part should feel very proud of their achievements,” he said.

“Huge congratulations go to Teddy, and good luck to the four students taking part in the RS Feva World Championships, and also to the four students who will be competing at the RS Tera World Championships in Carnac later this month.

“We will be working hard over the coming weeks to ensure they do as well as we know they can do.”