Black isle teen sets sights on sailing World Championships
16-year-old Oliver Bull has been sailing for around eight years and is currently the best in Scotland for the category he competes in.
A Fortrose Academy pupil is aiming to reach the World Sailing Championships later this year.
Oliver Bull, from Culbokie, has been sailing for around eight years and is currently the best in Scotland for the category he competes in.
Alongside his sailing partner from Helensburgh, the 16-year-old wants to take part in the international event in Barcelona in August.
Further afield, Oliver's also hoping to one day compete in the Olympics.
"I got into 29ers almost by accident" - Oliver Bull
Oliver currently competes in the 29er class, which is a form of high performance two-person youth racing.
After training with Chanonry Sailing Club, he was selected in 2021 to join the Royal Yachting Association Scotland (RYAS) 29er Performance Team and more recently, the UK 29er Class Association National Squad.
Oliver admits how he didn't initially intend to compete in the sport.
He said: "I got into 29ers almost by accident.
"I saw a 29er in action at one of the National sailing regattas where I was racing in Toppers (a small single-handed dinghy suited to juniors), and then had a go at a ‘transition event’, where junior sailors can try various youth class boats to see where they want to go next in their sailing progression.
"I was hooked on the 29er straight away - they are fast double-handed boats to sail with some really high-quality racing on the UK circuit."
Commodore at Chanonry Sailing Club, Sandra Hogg says they are "delighted" to see Oliver and his sailing partner's progress in the sport.
She said: "Sailing is a wonderful sport that can provide a sense of freedom and huge amount of enjoyment from a very young age and whatever level you are at.
"The club is delighted to see Oliver and Morven’s progress and achievements in the 29er squad and we wish them every success in their future events.
"Chanonry Sailing Club provides opportunities for people of any age to get on the water, whether you want to develop skills on a stand-up paddleboard, enjoy some wild swimming (with hot showers afterwards), meet new friends while Coastal Rowing in one of our St Ayles rowing skiffs, or whether you want to learn to sail."