Two Southend youngsters have been selected to compete for England at the international cadet yachting world championships over Christmas.

Anna Graves, 12, and James Hughes, 16, will set off for Argentina on December 20 for a week-long series of races in Buenos Aires.

While most youngsters are at home unwrapping their presents at Christmas, the duo will be on the other side of the world trying to bring yachting glory to their country.

Westcliff High School pupil James is at the helm of the boat, "No Fear", which is sponsored by the Royal Yachting Association and car manufacturers Volvo.

Thorpe Hall school's Anna is the crew, undertaking such tasks as trimming the jib and spinnaker.

James and Anna beat off competition from 120 other boats to earn their passage to South America as one of seven English crews.

Eleven nations are taking part and Anna's father Paul, whose elder daughter Katie has also been to the event, has high hopes the duo can do well.

There is a special reason for Anna to shine as her brother Robert, now 14, won the same competition in Poland on its last running. That was the first time an English team had won the world cadet event for 10 years.

Anna's father Paul said: "I don't think it has been done before that someone from the same family has been the champion in successive years, so it would be quite an achievement for Anna.

"But James is very much the man in charge and the pair of them have given up a lot to get there. The families have been split for Christmas, so it takes a lot of dedication to compete."

Published Monday December 17, 2001