GOSFIELD Lake water-skier Ben Turp said competing in the Junior World Water Ski Championships in Chile was one of the "single best experiences" of his life as he helped the Great Britain team to bronze medals.

Qualification last season had been marred by injury for the 16 year-old, but despite that, his excellent results in competitions meant he was selected to represent Team GB.

Four weeks of training took place in Florida followed by just two hours of venue practise in San Bernardo in Santiago.

Competitions consist of three disciplines, the first of which is trick-skiing behind the boat where the participant has to complete as many manoeuvres as possible in the time allowed, including doing 360 degree turns on a small rectangular ski.

Turp scored 4,000 points.

Second was slalom where the skier has to ski round a maximum of six buoys with the boat speed increasing and rope length shortening with each pass. Remarkably, at just 16-years-old, Turp got round one buoy with the boat travelling at 58 kph and the rope just 11 metres long.

Lastly, comes ski-jumping, and in this event the Gosfield youngster flew 39.2 metres through the air and skied away after landing.

This tremendous effort was a major contribution to the Team GB bronze medal and Turp individually finished 14th in the world.

He said: “The Junior Worlds was one of the single best experiences of my life.

"Thank you so much to everyone that sponsored me and helped with funding.”

As water-skiing is not an Olympic sport, individual funding has to raised, with local firms such as GB Finch, Tadpole Contracts, Client on Boarding Solutions and Laser Grafix along with members from the ski club helped to send Turp on his trip.

The Gosfield star is now hoping to continue his success this season and represent GB at the European Championships in August.