TEENAGE sensation Anna Piggott's globetrotting exploits are putting a Flintshire club on the map. The 14-year-old, who is a Shotwick Lake Sailing member, has returned to home shores after competing in the Topper World Championship at Lake Garda in Italy. Up against 160 sailors from nine different countries, Anna proved why she is one of the UK's top prospects with a 61st-place finish in the Gold fleet. But as her mum Denise explains, that figure does not tell just how well her daughter did. She said: 'Anna was competing against older sailors, both boys and girls, so when you pick out her result she was the seventh-best junior girl. 'There were 160 boats competing but it was impossible for them to be all together, so they were split into different fleets, which sailed on different areas of the lake. The Gold is a lot higher in standard so she did very well to finish where she did. 'We're delighted for her. She's really pleased too, and she keeps saying she wants us to go back.' However, Anna's next trip will be closer to home. She will don the Welsh jersey in next weekend's UK National Championships at Wey-mouth & Portland Sailing Academy, which is the London 2012 Olympics sailing venue. Given her rapid progress, mum Denise believes a place at the Games is not beyond Anna, who will compete for the Great Britain Under 16s team at the Topper Irish Nationals following the UK event. However, neither her or her husband Andy are putting pressure on their daughter to put an Olympic bid together. Denise said: 'She's doing really well. We don't know what the future holds, but she has the opportunity to go as far as she likes. But she must enjoy it. It's not up to us to push her, but to be there to support her in whatever she chooses.' Andy and Denise are adopting the same attitude for their 11-year-old son Tom, who is fast following in the footsteps of his sister. Like Anna, the fellow Shotwick sailor will be part of the Welsh topper squad in Weymouth. Tom, who will join his elder sibling at Holywell High School in September, is carving out a big reputation of his own, having won competitions up and down the country. If anyone can sponsor Anna and Tom, contact the Chronicle on 01244 821911 and we will pass your details on to the family. * Shotwick Lake Sailing is inviting members of the public to visit the club tomorrow as part of its re-opening ceremony (11am). The club is on Weighbridge Road, Deeside Industrial Estate. | 
