Young sailors from Secunderabad impress at world championships in Czech Republic
Fourteen-year-old sailors Vinod Dandu and Badrinath Nirudu from Secunderabad delivered an impressive 14th-place finish at the World Championships in the Czech Republic, marking India’s return to Cadet Class sailing with strong performances.
Hyderabad: Fourteen-year-old captain Vinod Dandu and crew Badrinath Nirudu (also 14) of Secunderabad Government Schools (Nallagutta and Bansilalpet) — both from Suheim Sheikh’s Yacht Club — had qualified for the just-concluded World Championships at Lake Lipno in the Czech Republic and put up a fine show, finishing overall 14th in the championship.
The two trained under him and Ayaz Sheikh, former national champion in the Cadet Class, for just two months at an intensive camp in the Cadet Class before making it to the world championship.
Interestingly, the under-17 Cadet Class sailing boat — which was intensively sailed in India for decades till the year 2000 — has been reintroduced to India by the President and High Performance Director of The Yacht Club of Hyderabad to Hussain Sagar and has produced great dividends in a matter of months.
Both Vinod and Badrinath shocked the international fleet with two single-digit finishes, including a 2nd position in 12 races, and finished overall 14th in the world fleet comprising 104 boats across seven European nations, India and Australia.
The reintroduction of this under-17 class opens up doors for Indian sailors to participate in a double hander at very young ages. Sailors from across the country can now start sailing as young as five to six years with no worries.
As one of India’s iconic sailors in the double hander and also a Cadet national champion, Pushparajan Muttu says the Cadet Class boat was such an amazing concept. “A hull which can sail from flat water in lakes to big swells in the ocean from 4–30 knots,” he said.
“Sails are so simple, and yet it has most of the sailing lessons that form the basics of sailing, which lays the foundation for high performance — stepping stones for not only double-handed boats but even single handers,” he said.
Head coach Suheim Sheikh said it was one of the best boats for a first-timer because a skipper could easily introduce the young crew to the sport, and it has three sails including a spinnaker.
“It’s a great initiative to have started Cadet Class sailing in India again, and kudos to Suheim Sheikh for bringing this old glory back to India,” said Muttu.
Introducing the young to sailing at the age of five and six was not possible before the Cadet, and like most countries, getting into the sport early clearly sets the tone for medals at the Olympic stage in the long run.
Vinod and Badrinath did India proud with a superb finish and are excited about making a podium finish at Lake Garda in Italy for the next Worlds in July 2026 and also moving on to bigger boats like the 29er and International 420 for the Asian Games.