AFTER the first day’s racing in the inaugural Hobie Dragoon World Championships in Duinbergen, Belgium, Simon Thébault (15) and Luke Carney (14) are best-placed from a fleet of 23 in seventh place.

Following two days’ of training in fairly heavy winds the four teams representing the Royal Channel Island Yacht Club were handicapped yesterday when the wind died, which meant that only three of the four races they were expected to start could be run.

The fleet will compete in 16 races over four days’ sailing.

According to Julie Pearce, one of four adults accompanying the squad, the teenagers are generally happy with their performances so far because, before the competition started: ‘Their ambition was simply not to finish last.

They are up against members of the Great British squad, some who train every day, plus experienced sailors from Australia, Italy, France, Belgium and Holland.

‘They are also handicapped in light winds because although there is a weight minimum of 90 kilos on every boat, our heaviest team members are heavier than that.

It is no coincidence that the heaviest pairings are doing worst than the lightest.’ Thébault and Carney are fourth, out of the Great Britain competitors, and the other overall placings are: Alex Pearce (16) and Leon Pearce (13) 12th; Francesca Eddy (16) and Jodie Carney (13) 15th; Jamie Riddock (15) and Rory Rice (14) 19th.

The team is sponsored by Fotosound, HSBC, Condor Ferries and Cartridge World.