Peters listed for BBC Young Sports Personality

by RYA on 13 Nov 2008
RYA Youth Squad sailor James Peters has capped a memorable year by being shortlisted in the final 10 for the prestigious BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award 2008.

Hayling Island’s Peters, who only turned 16 last month, enjoyed a sensational summer in the 29er high performance dinghy with crew Ed Fitzgerald, also 16.

Having started the season in indomitable fashion, romping to RYA Youth National Championship glory in April, the pair went from strength to strength claiming an outstanding gold at the Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championships in Denmark in July before making it two international titles in seven days taking the 29er European Championship crown in Medemblik, The Netherlands.

By being shortlisted, helm Peters, whose sister Frances ensured it was a family ISAF Youth Worlds clean-sweep by taking the girls’ 29er title with Claire Lasko, is now in the running to follow in the footsteps of former BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year winners Wayne Rooney (2002), Andy Murray (2004) and Theo Walcott (2006).

Peters said: 'I was really surprised and really excited to hear that I had been shortlisted for this award. You don’t really think of you or your achievements being compared to other sports outside of sailing so just being in the running is fantastic.

'I had hoped at the start of the year things would go as well as they have but you never expect it so to have attended all of those events and have done so well has been a bonus.

'The ISAF Youth Worlds were my highlight because they are often seen as a stepping stone to the next level. To win gold there was great but I also looked at it as what I hope to be the beginning of something else.'

Peters was named in the final 10 after the meeting of a panel chaired by BBC Sport presenter John Inverdale on Monday (10 November).

Among those also in the running for the 2008 award are last year’s victor Olympic diver Tom Daley, 14-year-old tennis prospect Laura Robson and double gold medal winning Paralympic swimmer Ellie Simmonds.

The panel will reconvene on Monday 24 November to select the top three, who will then be invited to attend the annual live BBC Sports Personality of the Year show, this year being held in Liverpool on Sunday 14 December, where the final winner will be revealed.

Simon Wergan, RYA Youth Racing Manager, said: 'This has been the RYA Youth Programme’s most successful ever year in terms of international medal success and I am thrilled that one of our sailors has been recognised in this way.

'James and Ed sailed with a maturity beyond their years in Denmark and held their nerve in a high-pressure situation to claim a fantastic gold medal. When you consider that all the success James has enjoyed with Ed this year has come against sailors some of whom were three years his senior it is a real testament to the achievements.

'James has been an excellent team player and squad member and we congratulate him on being shortlisted for the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award.'

The Young Sports Personality of the Year will be awarded to the outstanding young sportsperson aged 16 or under on 1 January 2008, selected from nominations made to the BBC by the public and national governing bodies through the Youth Sport Trust.