Wrap up for ISAF Youth Worlds in Langkawi, Malaysia

The duo started their year taking on the best of the best at the ISAF Youth World Championships in Langkawi, Malaysia where they finished the regatta in 28th position. "The regatta was very tough, we had expected this though! We were competing against the best youth sailors in the world, guys who were around 19 years old. It was our first ISAF Worlds event and we were amongst the youngest in the fleet." explained Daniel.

Competing on a sausage course, or windward leeward course, Daniel stated, "The guys we were sailing against at Langkawi are generally those who go on to win World Championships and Olympic medals so we weren't expecting to win the regatta,but we were certainly happy with our performance." continued Daniel.

Contemplating, Daniel said, "We learnt a lot as a team. In this kind of regatta you aren't sailing to gain places, you sail to not loose places because all of the teams who come are almost perfect at what they do so every little mistake you make you get punished."

"I think is we had to fine tune anything, we would fine tune our starts, they were good but not the level we would like them to be."

"The hardest thing for us was the up winds because most of the other teams weighed about 10-20 kilos more than us. And the best moment was probably flying downwind in about twenty knots; we passed quite a few people then. That was great fun!"

The up-and-coming 29er sailors had a pleasant break, easing themselves into their school year, doing things other than sailing, like surfing and cycling. This weekend the pair ventured out onto the water to start their training for their next big event, which is still to be decided.

Asked what they most enjoyed about the island, Daniel smiled and shares, "We enjoyed being able to walk everywhere. K.F.C. was 10 minutes away along with many other things to enjoy after a hard days sailing. The weather was hot! It was much more humid than Durban with higher temperatures. But the island was beautiful, picturesque. The water was the most brilliant blue I have had the privilege of seeing."

The sailing school lads will be back competing at this week's first Point Yacht Club's Dinghy Series, the PYC Commodore Series that will take place in the harbour.

For more info visit https://www.pyc.co.za or join their Facebook group.