WORLD 29er champion Sophie Ainsworth and racing partner Sophie Weguelin are celebrating after landing the invaluable Marlow Ropes Award just three months after making the step into the Olympic Classes arena.

The 18-year-old 470 duo, who were invited to join the RYA Olympic Development Squad (ODS) shortly before September’s Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta, admitted they were “really excited” after learning they would be entitled to free Marlow rope for the next year thanks to the award.

Former Highworth pupil Ainsworth, from Wye, said: “Getting to grips with the boat has been our biggest challenge so far and will continue to be our main goal throughout 2008.

"The 470 is a lot more technical than anything either of us had sailed before and we have also been putting in a lot of time at the gym because it’s also very physical."