Telangana sailors set Italy on fire, win 16 medals at International Cadet World meet

In a spectacular achievement for Indian sailing, an eight-member national team, all hailing from Telangana, returned victorious from the International Cadet Class World Under-17 Championships at Lake Garda, Italy. The Indian contingent secured a total of 16 medals across individual races, capped by an overall silver in the Silver Fleet.

Competing against 65 boats from 11 top sailing nations, including the UK, Australia, the Netherlands, and Germany, the young Indian squad delivered the country’s best-ever overseas international performance in the class.

Three-time sub-junior National Champion Ravikumar Banneoulu (15) and crew Badrinath Nirudu secured an impressive 8th overall finish, claiming a spectacular single-race victory along the way.

Vinod Dandu (16) and crew Mani Nilkondla (14) finished 11th overall after a fiercely competitive 11-race regatta.

The female duo of Chandralekha Tattari (16) and Rishwita Sunchankota (14) earned an overall silver medal in the Silver Fleet out of 52 boats, missing out on gold by just a single penalty point despite facing gear failures in their opening two races.

Skipper Chandralekha and crew Rishwita Sunchankota

The squad was completed by promising sailors Kounik Vardhan (Hanamkonda) and Hanumanth Vadhtya (Nalgonda). 20 out of 52 in the Silver fleet

The podium at Lake Garda was frequently decorated with the Indian Tri-colour throughout the prize-giving ceremony, marking a historic turnaround for India following earlier appearances at Plymouth (2024) and Lake Lipno, Czech Republic.

Grassroots talent turning into global champions

The young sailors represent local community institutions, showcasing the strength of Telangana’s grassroots sports development:

Udbhav School (Rasoolpura, Secunderabad): Ravikumar Banneoulu, Chandralekha Tattari, and Mani Nilkondla.

Vinod Dandu (Nallakunta Gov School), Badrinath (Bansilalpet Gov School).

Skipper Ravikumar Banneoulu and crew Badrinath Nirudu

Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Telangana Praja Welfare Residential Schools (MJPT): Rishwita Sunchankota (Kamareddy), Hanumanth Vadhtya (Nalgonda), and Kounik Vardhan (Hanamkonda).

Reviving a legacy

The double-handed International Cadet Class, one of only two junior dinghy classes sailed globally alongside the Optimist, requires immense coordination between skipper and crew to manage three sails, including the complex spinnaker.

Reintroduced to India just two years ago after a 21-year hiatus by Suheim Sheikh, president of the Telangana Sailing Association and Yacht Club of Hyderabad, the program’s rigorous training has yielded world-class results in record time.

Vinod Dandu and Mani Nilkondla

“I think we have mastered the Cadet Class to a point where we can consistently win podiums for India on the world stage,” said Suheim Sheikh, president of the Cadet Class Association of India. “Our sights are now set on the next World Championships in Ribnitz-Damgarten, Germany. With seasoned sailors like Ravi and Vinod returning with valuable experience, we expect to deploy a larger fleet and challenge for top honors.”