Date:11/05/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/05/11/stories/2007051105282000.htm

Sport - Sailing

Pikale's patience pays off

Special Correspondent

SMOOTH SAILING: Gaurav Pikale of CSC Club, Mumbai, who took the honours. — Photo: K. Pichumani

Chennai: Being tossed into the water can be an unpleasant experience. However, Gaurav Pikale emerged from the ordeal smiling. He even said, "It feels great."

After all, Gaurav's team-mates were celebrating his win, even if it was at the champion's expense. The 15-year-old Pikale from CSE will remember his maiden triumph in the National Optimist coastal sailing championship, sponsored by Chennai Port Trust, for more than one reason.

Holding his nerve

Celebrations apart, Gaurav was consistent and held his nerve when it mattered.

At the beginning of the 12th race, he was tied on points with Nishanth Chandasekhar, who eventually finished second.

"I knew I had to hang in there, be steady," said a relaxed Gaurav. On a day of light winds he noted, "I had to be patient." And patience pays.

The boy from Mumbai won only one race, but Gaurav's steady ways ensured that after he discarded his two worst finishes, he finished on top.

On Thursday, he was second in the 10th and 12th races and fourth in the 11th. Shwetha Sadanand, the best among the girls, clinched the tenth race, Ganapathy, the under-12 champion, secured the 11th, and Hussain Bhavnagarvala, the 12th. All three are from the TNSA.

The wind speed never exceeded 10 knots during Thursday's events and even fell to five knots. In these conditions, a sailor ensures that the boat is not leaning towards the wind, keeps it at a 47degree angle instead of 45, and sits inside the boat.

Right moves

The heavier Gaurav, for whom these were not ideal conditions, made the right moves.

TNSA's Nishanth had difficulty at the windward mark and was stalled by starboard trackers.

Hussain, Arisudan Sheth and Gerad Ambrose took the third, fourth and fifth spots.

Towards the end, Gaurav's face was smeared with cake. Once again he smiled. Nothing can beat the winning feeling.

The results:

Race 10: 1. Shwetha Sadanand (TNSA); 2. Gaurav Pikale (CSC); 3. Zephra Currimbhoy (RMYC) 4. Arisudan Sheth (CSC); 5. Nivedita Verman (TNSA).

Race 11: 1. Ganapathy (TNSA); 2. Gerad Ambrose (TNSA); 3. Varun Thakkar (TNSA); 4. Gaurav Pikale (CSC); 5. Hussain Bhavnagarvala (TNSA).

Race 12: 1. Hussain Bhavnagarvala (TNSA); 2. Gaurav Pikale (CSC); 3. Rufus Patrick (TNSA); 4. Gaurav Pikale (CSC); 5. Shwetha Sadanand (TNSA).

Provisional positions (Overall)

Boys: 1. Gaurav Pikale (CSC) 43 points; 2. Nishanth Chandrashekar (TNSA) 48 points; 3. Hussain Bhavnagarvala (TNSA) 50 points; 4. Arisudan Sheth (CSC) 55 points; Gerad Ambrose (TNSA) 57.

Girls: Shwetha Sadanand (TNSA) 70 points (sixth overall); Niveditha Varman (TNSA) 115 points - 11th overall (provisional)

Zephra Currimbhoy (RMYC) is currently in the 14th position with 127 points. However if her protest is upheld she moves up to eleventh overall with 112 points displacing Niveditha.

Under 12: 1. Ganapathy (TNSA) 78 points and eighth overall.