Senior Multi Class Sailing Championship ends on high note

Hyderabad: Hyderabad Sailing Week 2019 concluded on a high note with a grand ceremony at Sailing Annexe, Secunderabad Club on Sunday.

The prevailing weather conditions and high wind speed provided ideal setting for the Regatta, which resulted in the championship witnessing stiff competition in all categories.

Rammilan Yadav of NSS (Bhopal) lifted the Laser 4.7 open trophy and Laser 4.7 (boys) under-18 trophy while Ritika Dangi also from NSS (Bhopal) bagged the Laser 4.7 (Girls) under-18 title.

The prestigious Secunderabad Sailing Club Rolling Trophy for overall winner without discard in Laser Radial Rig and biggest Laser Radial open trophy for overall winner was bagged by Gitesh of AYN.

Laser Radial Women Trophy for overall winner in women category went to Nethra Kumanan of TNSA.

Laser Standard Open trophy for overall winner in Laser Standard, the prestigious 'Katari Bowl' for maximum guns in Laser Standard Rig and the Late Lieutenant Commander Kelly S Rao trophy were clinched by Master Gitesh of AYN.

The passion of Murali Kanuri aged 68, the oldest participant of the Regetta, the enthusiasm of Anshraj Bundela and Shaurya aged 13yrs, the youngest participants, were both inspiring and heartening for all the spectators and organisers.

The young sailors from Hyderabad proved they would undoubtedly carry forward the legacy of Major AA Basith (Retd), Late Lt Cdr Kelly S Rao, Lieutenant Colonel Dikhit (Retd) and Honorary Captain Rajesh Choudhary (Retd) who honed their sailing skills in Hussain Sagar Lake.

The event provided a mega platform for '49er' Class as it was sailed for the first time in the National Sailing event.

The event has witnessed a total participation of 192 sailors and 173 boats from 17 prominent sailing clubs across the country. A total of 22 women sailors have also participated in various categories of the Senior Multi Class Sailing Championship.

The week-long event was jointly hosted by the EME Sailing Association, the Secunderabad Sailing Club and the Laser Class Association of India.

Lieutenant General Paramjit Singh, president, Laser Class Association of India (LCAI) complimented the sailors on high standard of sailing and competitive spirit displayed by all participants.

He also thanked Government of Telangana state, sister organisations and sponsors for making the event a phenomenal success.

Speaking on the occasion, Lt Gen Paramjit Singh said: "Sailing is a great sport that tests an individual in all dimensions viz- physical, mental and technical.

A champion sailor needs all these qualities in good measure and has to be calm and composed to handle the shifting winds and waves pattern while racing". The dignitaries present at the closing ceremony were

Major General TSA Narayanan, Vice Commodore, EMESA, Ganan Narang, Rifle shooter, B Venkatesham, IAS, Secretary YAT & C, Shashidhar Batchu, president, SSC, Katsumi, IJ Chairman Jury and Mr Qidong, IRO, IJ.

The record number of participants in Senior MulticlassSailing Championship -2019 has brought to fore many budding sailors.

Persistent efforts of LCAI in terms of organising competitions undoubtedly nurture the young talent and provide a boost to their performance at international sailing regattas.

The Senior Multiclass Sailing Championship-2019 is expected to act as a stepping stone for these young sailors to achieve Olympic Glory for the nation in future.

From a humble beginning in 1986, the event has come a long way. The unprecedented level of participation witnessed in this year's Regatta is testimony to the growing popularity of the sport in the twin cities. It's the only sailing event in the country to sail 07 Olympic Classes.