Sailor Keith makes waves in Pacific win

Thursday 1st April 2010, 11:57AM BST.

Keith Wilkins in action

A Shropshire sailor has conquered the Pacific. Chelmarsh Sailing Club’s Keith Wilkins won two awards at the 2010 Open Asia Pacific Laser Championships held at the Royal Varuna Yacht Club in Pattaya, Thailand.

The 65-year-old won the Great Grand Master title, sailing in some strong winds in 35 degree temperatures, with a clear win.

In fact he did not even need to compete in the final race having already won the championship, beating the current Laser world champion in the process.

This now puts Wilkins in a very strong position to qualify for the 2010 World Championships to be held in the UK in September. He also finished third in the Laser Radial fleet, competing with 58 other sailors from all over the world.

Wilkins is a regular sailor at Chelmarsh’s reservoir base at Hampton Loade, near Bridgnorth.

View more: Bridgnorth news, Shropshire news.