Father and son duo Craig and Mitchell Bond had reason to celebrate after finishing eighth at an international sailing competition.

The pair, from Brightlingsea, chalked up their top-ten finish at the Mirror Dinghy World Championships in Hobart, Tasmania.

They were one of 104 teams at the prestigious event - 92 of which managed to finish - and, despite gruelling conditions which on one day included force seven gales, left most of their rivals trailing.

The event comprised ten different races - with two competed back-to-back each day.

And to make their achievement extra special, Mitchell is just nine years old.

He is a pupil at Brightlingsea Junior School.

Craig and Mitchell, who are both members of the town's sailing club and live in Lower Park Road, left home three weeks ago to compete Down Under.

And while there, they also tasted success in the Australian National Championships. The pair achieved a first place in one of the races and overall finished a highly-creditable 17th.

Published Thursday, January 16, 2003

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