While many of Britain’s top sailors are focused on next summer’s Olympics, Balerno sailing sensation James Calder admits he already has his sights firmly set on a spot at Tokyo 2020 after a superb summer of success.

Rio will certainly be a step too far for the 16-year-old Balerno High School student, who became European Youth champion in the laser radial class in July after a stunning showing in Portugal.

Calder then backed that up with a top-ten finish at the World Championships in August, and believes that since he became 2014 UK Youth Laser Radial Champion his boat handling has gone from strength to strength.

But with an intense winter of training around the corner, the starlet is hoping he may be able to make the jump up the men’s under-21 class ahead of time.

“The last few months have been really exciting for my sailing,” he said. “I’ve become the European Champion, which was my main goal for the season.

“Also at the World Championships in Canada this year I finished tenth which I was also over the moon at, and it’s unfortunate that the season has to come to an end."

“But it spurs you on, and motivates you work harder for the winter to achieve bigger and better goals for the upcoming season."

“Even though you’ve achieved something big, you want to go on and achieve something even bigger the next year, and keep making the jumps forward to try and reach the end goal of getting an Olympic gold."

“In terms of the path to reaching my Olympic goal, I’m happy with where I am just now and we’ll see in the years to come where it takes me."

“Next year we will see how it goes; I might transition into the men’s under-21 class and make the next jump or I might stay in youth. If that’s the case then my goal is to win the youth World Championships.”

Calder was speaking at Land Rover BAR headquarters in Portsmouth, where Sir Ben Ainslie and his all-British team are bidding to bring the America’s Cup back to our waters for the first time since 1851.

As part of the Jaguar Land Rover Academy of Sport programme, some of Britain’s most promising sailors were invited down to enjoy a tour of the impressive new facility, and take on some top tips from the BAR team and fitness experts.

And Calder admits the opportunity to meet Ainslie and learn from the best in the business, opened his eyes to the hard work required to cut the mustard at the elite level.

He added: “The Jaguar Land Rover Academy of Sport have given us a great experience to come down and see the Southampton boat show and then see the BAR headquarters."

“I’ve enjoyed all of it; coming down to see the headquarters and see the team just before they launch, then getting all the info on the gym and the intensity they work at, and the time they put into refining their boats."

“The Jaguar Land Rover Academy of Sport is really helpful. It provides you with skills you need going into this career as a full time sailor, and gives you a bit of an extra feather in your cap."

“Ben Ainslie is phenomenal; he’s just about every young sailor’s idol. He’s a great athlete to aspire to be like, and to aim to achieve anything near what he has done.”

James Calder, Jaguar Land Rover Academy of Sport athlete, visited the home of Land Rover BAR in Portsmouth for a behind the scenes tour and unique experience with the team to bring the Cup home, led by Ben Ainslie, and ambassador Sarah Ayton. For more information, please visit sportsaid.org.uk