A talented squad of Britain’s youngest waterski talent is returning home from the European Youth Championships in Spain with two medals and some great results against strong international competition.

The event, at Botaski in Seseña near Madrid concluded on Sunday 13th August.

There was a bronze medal for 13-year-old Charlie Fearn in the Under-14 Boys Jump and bronze for the Under-14 Team made up of Charlie, Raphael Dautigny (13), Harley Coster (13) and Isabel (Issy) Cosgrove (11).

Charlie, who also finished 9th overall said: “It's fantastic to have come away with a medal with this being my last year in the Under 14s. You can never take anything for granted, I'm super happy!”

Charlie Fearn on the 2023 European U14 Boys Jump podium

Charlie’s parents, Adele and Andrew were watching on from the lakeside.

“It’s amazing. We are so very proud of Charlie,” Adele Fearn said. “The time he has spent training at the Performance Waterski Training Centre in Lincoln and all his hard work and effort has finally paid off. It's been a fantastic experience at Botaski and the support of the GB Team here and from all those watching at home has just been brilliant.”

2023 European U14 Waterski Championships Team podium

The medals were the icing on the cake of an impressive performance by both the Under-14 and the Under-17 GB Teams. All nine athletes who competed made it through to at least one final in their category. Unfortunately, the tenth skier in the squad – Alfie Godfrey-Fletcher (16) – was unable to take part after suffering an injury in training the evening before he was due on the water.

Issy Cosgrove - the youngest in the squad - had an outstanding tournament in the Under-14 Girls, competing against older and more experienced waterskiers.

She made it through to the final round in all three events, finishing 5th in Tricks, 6th in Jump, 10th in Slalom and claiming 5th place overall.

Issy's older brother, James (13), who competed in Under-14 Boys Slalom but whose score did not count towards the team result, made it through to his final and finished 10th.

Other results of note include: 

• Harley Coster (U14 Boys) 4th in Jump, 7th in Tricks
• Harrison Crossland (U17 Boys) 6th in Tricks, 7th in Slalom
• Seb Turp (U17 Boys) 6th in Slalom, 11th in Tricks, 8th Overall
• Oscar Withers (U17 Boys) 9th in Slalom
• Raphael Dautigny (U14) 10th in Tricks, 7th Overall
• Stella Gamski (U17 Girls) 11th in Slalom

The GB Under-17 Team finished in 7th place, despite being one skier down after losing Alfie to injury before the competition began.

The combined U14/U17 GB Team ended the Championships in a creditable 4th place.

GB's U14 & U17 Skiers in Spain

The GB Team Captain, Vince Turp, said he was proud of the whole squad in Spain.

“All the skiers showed great maturity, huge focus and determination against amazing competitors. I am very proud to be a small part of their team. It’s been emotional,” he said.

The full results and scores can be viewed here.