Solo sailor 'child prodigy'

The Duchess said Seb gave children "inspiration"

A teenager who became the youngest person to sail single-handedly across the Atlantic has been named as Britain's brightest child prodigy.

Seb Clover, 16, from the Isle of Wight, was awarded the accolade of Prodigy of the Year by the Duchess of York on Friday night.

He was chosen as the winner from seven other talented children at Britain's Brilliant Prodigies Awards.

The Duchess described Seb - who was just 15 when he completed the record last year - as extraordinarily brave.

She said: "Sebastian gives children who are watching inspiration.

"They see he has done it alone, dealing with nature's elements, and are inspired."

Killer whales

Seb also won the Inspiration Award, presented by Sir Bob Geldof.

Sir Bob said: "It is extraordinary - he has achieved something at 15 which most adults do not dream of achieving in a lifetime."

Seb set sail from Tenerife at the start of his challenge on 19 December 2002.

The 2,700 mile trip, which ended in Antigua on 12 January 2003, saw Seb visited by killer whales and meant he spent Christmas alone at sea.

His father, Ian, who also sailed the route, narrowly beat his son to the finish line by 14 hours.

Seb now hopes to complete his next challenge - sailing alone around Cape Horn.

Friday night's awards were held in association with the charity Children In Crisis, founded 10 years ago by the Duchess.