Date:25/04/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/25/stories/2008042561882400.htm

Sport - Sailing

Vestas National Laser Coastal championship

Special Correspondent

Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Sailing Association (TNSA) will conduct the Vestas National Laser Coastal championship here from April 26 to 29. The sponsor’s race will be held prior to the main event on Friday.

Around 55 to 60 sailors are expected to take part in three events — Laser Standard, Radial and 4.7. The Standard and Radial are Olympic events for men and women respectively. The 4.7 race will feature under-17 aspirants.

Speaking at a press conference here on Thursday to announce the event, Ashok Thakkar, Commodore, TNSA, thanked title sponsor Vestas and the others supporting the event.

He acknowledged the spontaneous help from the Navy, Coast Guard and the Chennai Port Trust in promoting sailing in the city. Mr. Thakkar also spoke about the quiet assistance from Arun Vasu of the TTK group in running the competition.

Lt. Col. Ranjit Dhillon, chief coach, Laser Class Association of India, dwelt on the country’s premier sailor Rajesh Chowdhary’s narrow failure to qualify for the Olympics.

He, however, added the country’s young sailors held out much hope for the future.

“The conditions here are always good for sailing,” he added.

Captain Ravikumar, Captain of Boats, said the competition will feature 12 races spread over four days. In case, the races are not completed, they will spill over to April 30, the reserve day.

A dozen clubs would be taking part, he said.

The youngest sailor in the competition, Varun, and the oldest, Shanta Ravikumar, are both from TNSA.

Ajit Diaz, Treasurer, TNSA, highlighted the challenges of conducting an event on the sea. Vijay Pillay, chairman of the organising panel, proposed a vote of thanks.