OTTERS Bar sailing star Michael Perham shared the waves with Olympic sailing champions Paul Goodison and Shirley Robertson as he helped fight cancer at the J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race.

The 18-year-old, who became the youngest person to sail solo round the world last year, formed part of the Challenge Prostate UK charity boat.

More than 1,700 boats and 16,000 competitors contested the 55 mile course around the Isle of Wight – making it the fourth largest participation event in the UK.

And while Perham is more at home alone on the waters, the former Oaklands College student was delighted to join forces with his fundraising crew.

“It is all a little bit different to what I am normally doing when I am sailing but it was good to be able to help such a great cause,” said Perham, of Oakroyd Avenue.

“I really wanted to do the race, so to be able to do it and raise awareness and funds at the same time is brilliant.

“It is a totally different ball game to what I have done before but I thought if I can sail around the world hopefully I’ll be able to help the crew get round the Isle of Wight.”

Perham, who finished 743rd at the weekend, was 17 years and 164 days old when he completed his round the world voyage in August last year.

But after 16-year-old Jessica Watson completed her own solo voyage to take the record last month, Perham was full of praise for the Australian teenager.

“I think it is great what Jessica has done because she was out there for a very long time,” added Perham.

“I know how hard it is to do, so I’m really happy for her and I think it is great that someone has done it.”