Promising British Sailor Jess Eales Found Dead
One of Britain’s best young sailors, Jess Eales, has been found dead near a car park in woodland in the New Forest.
Jess Eales, who turned 17 on July 30th, was discovered near a car park at around 9.30am the next day. The promising sailor had recently represented Great Britain at the ISAF Youth Sailing World Championships in Portugal, finishing 11th against more than 365 competitors.
Meanwhile, in April, she won a gold medal at the RYA Youth National Championships in Weymouth and Portland.
RYA racing manager and performance director John Derbyshire told the Telegraph: “Jess was a very happy smiling girl and a part of our sailing community but that is only one of the aspects of her life, she also had her school, her family and friends.”
“This has been a complete shock to everyone who knew her, her family are just reeling and as a parent I don’t know how they are managing to deal with this.”
Meanwhile, RYA youth racing manager Mark Nicholls said: “The RYA is aware of the sad passing of British Youth Sailing Squad member Jessica Eales.”
“She was a young sailor who showed promising talent which can now unfortunately never be fulfilled. Our thoughts are with the family and friends at this sad and difficult time.”
The 17-year-old, who learned to sail in 2009, competed in the RS Feva XL class before progressing into the 29er skiff class. Police are not treating her death as suspicious and an inquest will be opened in due course.
