Cadet World Championship at Bodstedt, Germany: Four Australian Cadets in the top 20
by Peter Campbell/Tony Bull 5 Aug 2018 00:18 PDT
29 July - 3 August 2018
Sandy Bay Sailing crew, Archer Ibbott and Grace Hooper, racing under spinnaker against Cadets from Russia and Germany © International Cadet Class
Four of Australia's team of seven youth crews have finished in the top 20 of the 63-boat fleet at 2018 International World Championship which finished overnight at Bodstedt, Germany. Three of the crews are from Hobart's Sandy Bay Sailing Club.
Peter Allen and Ashton Rowstron from the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria finished fifth overall, Sandy Bay's Archer Ibbott and James Gough sixth, team captain Jacob McConaghy and Sam Hooper 13th and the youngest skipper, Hugo Allison and his crew Grace Hooper, 20th and first under-14 helm.
Light winds prevented any sailing on the second last day of competition and only one race could be completed on the final day.
In his final 'blog', Australian team coach Tony Bull reported that the Australians mostly has an 'OK race' with Jacob McConaghy and Sam Hooper getting on the podium (third) and Pete Allen/ Ash Rawstron (13), Arch Ibbott/James Gough (11) and Jack Allison/ Luca Grove (17) all having good races.
"It was a good note to finish and I reflected on how much we had improved our light air sailing as a team," Bull wrote. "Raised on a diet of fresh winds and afternoon sea breezes, the Australians have always been good in a blow.
"But the whole team have become much better all-round sailors. We still have some areas that need addressing but their growth and confidence is reassuring."
The 2018 International Cadet World Champions are Argentinian sailors Teo and Ana Zecchin. They won three races and had two seconds in the nine-race regatta.
Referring to Australia's top crew, Peter Allen and James Rawstron, the coach commented: "They came of age in this regatta, showing fantastic composure and incredible consistency...with a strong scorecard with their best place an 8th and their worst a 16th. Really good effort."
Describing Tasmanians Archer Ibbott and James Gough as "the comeback kings", Bull recalled how they had climbed up the ladder each race.
"With a heat win and some great sailing from deep in the fleet, they worked up to 6th in the final analysis. Outstanding, in light of one race having a 30% penalty handed to them in the protest room and having another race abandoned when well placed," Bull added.
The coach said Jacob McConaghy and Sam Hooper were a bit unlucky in finishing just outside the top ten in 13th. "With some good results and podium finishes, they were fast and capable but a few bad races saw them drop a bit in the mid regatta stage, but recover to finish strongly."
Bull wrote of Hugo Alison and Grace Cooper, one of the team's youngest crews, "There's was a great effort to even get in the team at 13 years of age and then to score a top 20 finish! To cap it off Hugo won the best performed helm under-14 trophy. Grace is going on to skipper. The future looks very bright for these two.
"Elliot Hughes and Cate McCoy, another boat with a 13-year-old skipper was not far back in 23rd. Another one to watch in the future and will only get better.
"Jack Alison and Luca Grove in 27th, sailed well at times in condition that did not suit them...as one of the heaviest crews in an extremely light series.
"Emma Kelly, Ollie Grieve and Alyssa McConaghy did not have their best regatta. Another heavy-ish crew and fine sailors but unfortunately the dice did not often roll their way," Bull wrote on his final blog, adding his thanks to the strong team of parents and other supporters for the Australian International Cadet team and to the regatta organiser. "Well done, Germany!" he added
The 2019 International Cadet World Championships will be held in Poland and in 2020 in Victoria.