Frensham Pond sailors Will Shepherd and Joe Mycroft have followed up winning the UK Cadet Class National Championship by becoming International Cadet Class European champions.

After a week of exciting sailing in Torquay, the Frensham Pond Sailing Club juniors beat 65 other boats to the coveted Nationals crown.

Then they did it again the following week at the International Cadet Class European Championships, this time beating 82 boats from seven countries.

The UK National Cadet Class Association’s Cadet Class chair Sarah Northey said: “Will and Joe were worthy winners after a dominant display of super-consistent results, being in the top three for eight of the ten races in some very testing conditions.”

The second week of racing at the Europeans saw stronger winds and challenging shifts.

Will and Joe proved they were masters of the Cadet seas no matter what the weather throws at them, finishing a massive 37 points ahead of the second boat.

David Little, the UK Cadet Class Europeans organiser, said: “We had a fantastic two weeks racing in Torbay, hosted by the excellent Royal Torbay Yacht Club, and run by Stuart Childerley, himself an ex-Olympian and a superb international race officer.

“We saw some of the best junior sailors in the world racing the best junior racing dinghy – the Cadet – in the best sailing waters in the UK.

“Competition was fierce, featuring the top sailors from seven European nations – but Will and Joe achieved a fantastic double win.

“Consistency was key for them, plus a mature and resilient head on Will’s shoulders to steer them to success. The UK will follow his progress in the World Championships in Australia in December with great enthusiasm.”

Will – helm of the winning boat 9994, May Contain Nuts – said: “I feel really proud of our achievement and all of the work we put into it behind the scenes.

“Joe was a superstar and coped very well over the two week event. Highlights were meeting all the sailors from other countries and making new friends, sailing in beautiful Torbay and going to the beach.”

Joe, the crew, said: “I’m so lucky to sail with someone as good as Will – he’s the best. Sailing against so many boats from different countries was very exciting and to win both events was awesome. I’ll never forget it.”