Paul Campbell-James has turned a nightmare year on its head.

The 17-year-old Seaford sailor has qualified for the World Youth Championships in Sydney.

Campbell-James broke his leg in May which wrecked his hopes of competing in Britain's European and World Senior Championship teams in the summer.

But he is smiling again after securing a place in the boys' 420 class at the trials in Falmouth.

The former Newlands pupil, with crew Matt Gill, clinched a trip to Sydney in December with overall victory from Midlands pair Alex Cherry and Paul Burgoine.

Campbell-James said: "It feels fantastic. I can't wait to be sailing on the waters where Britain won three Olympic gold and two silver medals by Sydney Bridge and in view of the Opera House. It will be wicked.

"I was pretty down after breaking my left leg. I was selected to go to the senior events, but it wasn't to be.

"But now everything seems to be working out again and I am feeling fit.

"I cannot run with the leg yet, but I will be fine for Sydney.

"I will be training every spare day and I will go to the gym four times a week. I want to make an impression."

The 1997 RYA Young Sailor of the Year, with Gill, clinched their place in dramatic style after going into the final race leading the Midlands pair by just one point.

He said: "It was tight. The pressure was really on. We thought we were going off course a little at one point but sorted it out.

"It was very tough. But all my hard work paid off."

They made a slow start in light winds on the first day with two ninth places and were sixth on the second.

But they improved in the third with three wins and a second and finished with two seconds and a first.

He said: "We struggled early on but we did well on the last couple of days because of our strength and fitness."

Success in Sydney would complete a family double because Paul's brother Mark is reigning World Youth Match Racing champion.

Proud dad David, who competed at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, said: "The start was devastating after all the hard work put in, but the way they responded when the pressure was on was incredible.

"They were two points behind going into the last day and it could not have been closer going into the last race. They showed such determination and won that final race by some distance."

Mum Jenny, who also broke a leg this year, said: "It has been a hard year for him but he has come back well."

Campbell-James and brother Mark compete in the Chernikeef RYA National Match Racing Championship finals against some of Britain's Olympians in London's Docklands, starting today.

The field includes gold medallist Shirley Robertson and Andy Beadsworth, who competed in Sydney.

Paul and Mark will skipper their own boats and are in confident mood.

Paul said: "I hope I can beat the Olympians, although Mark has has a better chance because he beat Shirley at the same event last year."