International Cadet World Championships day 2

8:00 AM Mon 1 Aug 2011 GMT

'Worlds Team Photo - International Cadet World Championships 2011' Mariji Sasson Click Here to view large photo

International Cadet World championships 2011 are being held at the German seaside town of Kuhlungsborn, on the Baltic Sea, from 27th July to 5th August.

Although there has been no racing on day two there are now three Australian crews in the top six following the reinstatement of the Tasmanians Jonathon and Thomas Cooper in heat one scoring.

The Coopers had led the fleet almost throughout the race, only be disqualified as a result of some confusion at the finish line. However, a request to International Jury for a check of scoring saw them reinstated with a 12th place.

Together with their fifth in heat two, this placed them fourth overall on 17 points. Third overall with 12 points from a fourth and an eight are Victorians Anton and Julian Sasson.

The Sasson brothers put in a courageous performance to finish fourth in heat one, despite Julian's cast-encased broken wrist (from a fall at the club earlier in the week).

On the return leg for the Sasson boys their rudder rope snapped, the rudder flipped up and they went for a tumble in the water. No broken wrist was going to get in their way and they managed to get the boat upright and only saw two boats pass them.

In sixth place, and first-placed all-girl crew, are Ashleigh Dyer and Georgina Hughes from South Australia, with 20 points from two 10th places. In 11th place overall are another SA crew, Cameron Philcox and Cody Goat on 31 points.

Other Australian overall standings are: 22nd Sean Keen and Oscar Mitton (SA) - 45 pts; 24th Oliver Burnell and Sam Abel (Tas) - 48 pts; 35th Samantha Bailey and Hannah Chadwick (Tas) - 72 pts.

Cadet worlds racing - International Cadet World Championships 2011 - Int. Cadet Association

Racing on day one was in 17 knots and very lumpy seas, which delayed a report from team spokesperson Mariji Sasson, who suffered the worst sea sickness she had ever experienced out following the racing. But like her sons, she courageously continued on, and after a long recovery ashore, sent the following edited report:

Heat one started in 17 knots of wind with very rough seas, the fleet sent on the one course, a triangle, followed by a windward return and then a short reach to the finish line.

The top mark looked incredibly far away so we knew in the conditions the sailors would be working hard beating up to it. At the top mark Jonny and Tom Cooper(Sandy Bay Sailing Club, Tas) popped up their spinnaker in first space with a nice lead over Anton and Julian Sasson (Sandringham Yacht Club, Vic) who were in seventh.

Oli Burnell and Sam Abel (SBSC) were in 12th and Sean Keen and Oscar Mitton(ASC) were in 15th and Ashleigh Dyer and Georgina Hughes(Port Lincoln Yacht Club) were in 16th. Sam Bailey and Hannah Chadwick(SBSC) and Cameron Philcox and Cody Groat(Largs Bay Sailing Club, SA) were not too far way.

At the end of the triangle and at the top mark for the second time, the Cooper brothers were still holding their lead by about 30 seconds, with the Sasson brothers in third place, Oli and Sam in 13th, Ashleigh and Georgina in 14th, Sean and Oscar in 20th, Cam and Cody in 26th and Sam and Hannah in 34th.

Alas, there is always a drama or two and so it was on the return leg for the Sasson boys when their rudder rope snapped and the rudder flipped up and they went for a tumble in the water. No broken wrist was going to get in their way and they managed to get the boat upright and only saw two boats pass them. Meanwhile there was some confusion at the finish line which saw the first couple of boats miss the finish line. Unfortunately for the Cooper brothers, their first position was no longer.

Final results for race one were: Anton and Julian Sasson - fourth, Oli Burnell and Sam Abel - ninth, Ashleigh Dyer and Georgina Hughes - 10th, Sean Keen and Oscar Mitton - 16th, Cameron Philcox and Cody Groat - 25th, Samantha Bailey and Hannah Chadwick - 35th and Jonny and Tom Cooper - DSQ, although this is being queried. (They were subsequently reinstated and given 12th place in the fleet.

The breeze was building for race two and was now at 18 knots gusting over 20 knots and the swell was getting no better!! Once again, the start was clean. However, most of the Australians had pretty poor starts. At the top mark for the first time a GBR boat was leading followed by a RUS boat. Cam and Cody were the first AUS boat in seventh, the Cooper brothers in 14th, the Sasson brothers in 20th, Ash and Georgina in 23rd and the rest of the AUS team needing to do some smart sailing.

At the top mark for the second time, the RUS boat was in the lead and went to pull the spinnaker up when a gust or a wave came through and saw them do a pretty spectacular cartwheel! Cam and Cody had worked their way up to sixth, the Cooper brothers to seventh, the Sasson brothers to ninth, Ash and Georgina to 14th, Sean and Oscar to 30th (from 53rd), Oli and Sam to 38th (from 63rd) and Sam and Hannah to 39th (from 54th).

Great work for the Australian team at the finish line with the results being: Jonny and Tom Cooper - fifth, Cameron Philcox and Cody Groat - sixth, Anton and Julian Sasson - eighth, Ashleigh Dyer and Georgina Hughes - 10th, Sean Keen and Oscar Mitton - 29th, Samantha Bailey and Hannah Chadwick - 37th, Oli Burnell and Sam Abel - 39th.

Cadet capsize - International Cadet World Championships 2011 - Int. Cadet Association

In the Promotional Fleet, Australia has two entries - Alice Endersbee and Eliza Davis (SYC) and Grace Endersbee and Matilda Davis (SYC). Alice and Eliza finished 18th and 11th in race one and two respectively. Grace and Tilly finished 16th in race one and unfortunately capsized in the second race. They spent 20 minutes in the water before Grace's dad, Robin, dived in and helped them and then sailed the boat back!

At the end of two races, Alice and Eliza are 13th and Grace and Tilly are 39th in a fleet of 60 boats.

It was a tough day on the water and I think many were relieved that there was not a third race today as was initially planned. The likes of Samantha and Hannah did incredibly well considering that together they weigh 75kgs!!! And Julian's wrist pulled up pretty well in the trying conditions today!