LEIGH-ON-SEA star Flo Brellisford wants to add her name to a long line of British sailing success stories.

The 19-year-old has previously cemented her place as one of sailing’s brightest prospects, with victory alongside Emily Mueller in the 29er class at the Youth World Championships in 2021.

And with more world events taking place this year, the University of Bristol student is hoping to force her way into the British set-up as she looks to emulate idols such as Hannah Mills and Eilidh McIntyre.

She said: “Our main outcome event is the Junior Worlds which is in Germany. It’s U23 so hopefully it won’t be as difficult, as in the 49er it’s now just adults.

“We’re hoping to crack the top ten and maybe do even better. We’ve also got Kiel Week which is a month or so before, which is our other event - that’s what all our training’s leading up to.

“I’m currently sailing with a boy, so I can’t do any actual Worlds or Euros because you have to be single sex. Next year, I’m hoping to find a girl to sail with and start aiming for adult events and the Euros and proper Worlds.

“Looking past that, if we do well in those, hopefully we’ll be getting a place in the British sailing team and British Sailing squad, and hopefully go full-time after I finish Uni.

“British Sailing has an amazing set up. They’ve got so many things in place to help and they’ve set up this squad and now a team, so there’s a bigger pathway than there was before.

“It would just be so amazing, and just to be able to join all of the sailors who are already in it would be such an honour - because they’re who I’ve looked up to in my youth career.”

Brellisford’s potential has already been recognised, but she has received a much-valued further boost with added financial support.

She is one of 50 young athletes supported by Entain, owner of Ladbrokes and Coral, as part of their long-standing partnership with SportsAid.

“The Entain support is really amazing and it’s special they’ve chosen to help me out in my career,” Brellisford added.

“The money will be going towards training, the Junior Worlds and the actual logistics of that event, but also the support and knowing that someone’s seen what. I’m doing and want to get on board with it is very cool.

“That’s a real confidence boost.”

>Entain, owner of Ladbrokes and Coral, is proud to be championing the next generation of British sporting heroes by providing talented young athletes with financial support and personal development opportunities in partnership with SportsAid. Visit entaingroup.com to find out more