Surprise celebration for Martin

7:50am Tuesday 8th April 2008

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There were cheers and celebrations at Mersea's Dabchicks Sailing Club as members welcomed home the club's newest sailing celebrity - Martin Evans.

Evans won a silver medal at the Laser Radial World Youth Championships in New Zealand, an achievement described by Royal Yachting Association youth manager Simon Wergan as exceptional'.

On the pretence of a family meal out to celebrate his 16th birthday, Evans was stunned to find a gathering of fellow cadet sailors and well-wishers at the club, amid banners, photos and balloons.

"Who'd have thought when Martin jumped into a Topper aged nine that we'd get to this," said his proud father, Nic Evans.

"As a family we're dead chuffed."

Competing against the best under-19 Laser Radial sailors in the world, Evans held his nerve when it mattered most, winning the final race of the Championships to take the silver medal outright.

There was more to come at Evans' surprise event as youth sailors Janek Payne and James Bolingbroke stepped forward to present him with yet another accolade, membership of the Musto Academy for 2008, which they collected on his behalf at the recent RYA Youth Nationals.

As the pair explained, the Academy recognises and supports emerging young sailors who have shown the potential and desire to make the most of their talent while also acting as a positive role model for other sailors in their age group.

Evans is one of only three sailors selected this year.

"I'm totally bowled over," said the modest youngster.

"Thank you all for coming and for the support."

He was then swallowed up in a crowd desperate to hear all about the world championships, New Zealand and future plans which include representing Great Britain at the 2012 London Olympics.

All that to come but there was no let up for the dedicated 16-year-old sailor as the next day, despite the snow, he was back on the water, successfully defending his title at the Home Counties Laser Grand Prix event.