National Sailing to mark YAI's 40th year

National Sailing to mark YAI's 40th year
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

MUMBAI, MAY 5: The Yatching Association of India (YAI) will celebrate its 40th year in style by holding a Grand Regatta from May 7-13. The National Sailing Championship will see more than 120 sailors, including women, test their skills on the waters of Mumbai harbour in the vicinity of Sunk Rock light house.

Giving details YAI vice-president Commodore (Retd) Surinder Mongia said that the championship, which will form the basis for an international event, will be held in four different classes of boats (Optimist, Cadet, Seabird and Enterprise) will be sailed concurrently between May 9-13.

YAI has cleared an Under-17 team of three boys and two girls for the Optimist event in which many civilians are also taking part.

Most of the title holders in the other three classes, Enterprise, Seabird and Cadet, are in the fray including former Asian Champion Farrokh Tarapore, now sailing as a civilian.

There will be seven races out of which, a participant can drop one bad race.

The prize distribution will be held on May 14 at Integrated Mess and Sports Complex, Navy Nagar. Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports SS Dhindsa and Indian Olympic Association Suresh Kalmadi will be present on the occasion.

Special arrangements have also been made on May 12 and 13 for those wishing to take a close look at the sport. Those interested would be taken into the sea on launches from the Naval Sailing Club in Navy Nagar.

Besides the sailing championship, YAI will also hold a boat show at the Naval Sailing Club in Navy Nagar on May 14. The exhibition, open to all, will provide a showcase to boat builders, marine paint companies and to electronic equipment providers.

Organising secretary Commander Homi Motiwala also announced that National Inland Enterprise will be held at Khadakvasla (June 3-8), Laser Coastal Championship at Vishakhapatnam (July), South Zone Regatta at Chennai (July), North Zone Regatta at Chandigarh (Nov), Team Championship at Goa (Oct) and another National-level race at Hyderabad (Sept).