Top young sailors put to the test at worlds

FOUR Australian crews, three from Hobart, were in the top 20 boats going into the penultimate day of sailing in the International Cadet World Championships at Bodstedt, Germany, overnight.

Eight races have been sailed, with five more remaining. Tasmanian crews have so far won two of the races sailed in light and shifting winds.

While an Argentinian crew has a commanding overall points lead, two Australian crews are in the top seven in the 63-boat fleet from 13 nations.

Hobart’s Sandy Bay Sailing Club’s Archer Ibbott and James Gough on day two became the second Australian crew to win a race at the worlds.

Ibbott, 15, and Gough, 12, won race eight, the last race on day three, to lift them to seventh overall.

Over the three days of racing they have improved their overall position in the fleet from 22nd at the end of day one, when they accepted a place penalty following a portand-starboard incident.

Yesterday was a lay day for the young sailors.

Top-ranked Australians Peter Allen and Ashton Rowstron, from the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria, are fifth overall, maintaining consistent sailing with 16-9-7 on day three.

Australian team captain Jacob McConaghy and Sam Hooper from SBSC are 15th overall (the other Australian team crew to win a race at the worlds so far), while Hugo Allison and Grace Hooper, also from Sandy Bay, are 17th.

Commenting on the day three results, Australian team coach Tony Bull said: “The racing yesterday was a mixed bag.

“A 30-degree wind shift … threw the race into disarray.

“Nevertheless, going into day four we do have all our team in the top half of the fleet.”