A CHRISTCHURCH teenager has made it onto a shortlist of talented sports stars of the future.

Sailor and windsurfer, Emma Wilson, 16, will attend the SportsAid ball on Thursday November 5, along with the nine other shortlisted candidates from across the country.

Previous winners include diver Tom Daley, sprinter Jodie Williams and gymnast Courtney Tulloch.

The 10 athletes shortlisted have been selected from 1,200 rising British stars across more than 60 different sports during 2015.

Each year, athletes are nominated by their sport’s governing body on the strength of their talent and potential.

Emma picked up gold in the 2014 Youth World Windsurfing Championships for under-17s and under-19s, and silver at the 2015 Youth World Windsurfing Championships under-17s.

She also won the Yachting Journalists’ Association’s 2015 Young Sailor of the Year Award.

She said: “It feels really cool to have made the top 10 shortlist out of so many amazing athletes - I never expected it.

"It shows that all those freezing cold winter days are starting to pay off.

"My main achievements have probably been competing at my first senior European Championships and coming 22nd out of 60 as the level was super high and I was one of the youngest competing.

"The support I have received from SportsAid has been great as it has meant that I can travel to more competitions and compete against the best women in the world."