Danielle Shorten has helped the Great British U21 girls' water skiing team exceed expectations and win a bronze medal at the European Championships. The 18-year-old from Wymondham travelled to Norway to compete in the tournament against the continent's most talented young water skiers, writes Josh Clarke.

Danielle Shorten has helped the Great British U21 girls' water skiing team exceed expectations and win a bronze medal at the European Championships.

The 18-year-old from Wymondham travelled to Norway to compete in the tournament against the continent's most talented young water skiers, writes Josh Clarke.

She performed admirably, reaching fifth place in the final of the jump event before securing an overall fourth-place finish in the individual classification.

Danielle's international success comes two weeks after her and sister Kelly, 20, stole the show at the British National Youth Water Skiing Championships.

The siblings consistently finished inside the top three in all events and both claimed podium finishes in the overall standings.

Danielle won the slalom and jump disciplines as well as picking up second in the tricks event to earn gold and the title of Britain's top U21 female skier.

Kelly's third-place finishes in the tricks and jump events ensured she went away with a bronze medal from the overall classification.

Danielle is pleased with her success on the national and European stage, and she is now hoping an increase of the height of her ramp - from 5ft to 5ft 6in - combined with new jump skis will help her cement a place at the forthcoming World Youth Championships, which will be held in Mexico in October.