INDIA. Mumbai: The YAI Multi-class Sailing Championship 2022 (IN-MDL Cup) was held at the Indian Naval Watermanship Training Centre (INWTC) in Mumbai from May 8 to May 15, under the auspices of the Yachting Association of India (YAI) and the Indian Navy Sailing Association (INSA), for senior Olympic classes of boats.
A total of 97 sailors from ten different sailing clubs across the country competed in the event. The participants competed in 121 races for five days, including five medal races, to earn national ranking points in gusts ranging from 8 to 15 knots and turbulent seas.
Medal races for five classes – International Laser(ILCA) 7, ILCA 6, 49er (a two-handed skiff-type high-performance sailing dinghy), 470 (mixed), and RS:X – were held for the first time in Indian sailing history.
The notion of a medal race with double points is currently employed in all major sailing competitions throughout the world to keep the level of competition high until the last day of the series.
A team of event officials, comprising world-class qualified international race officers, international judges, and international measurers, worked seamlessly to ensure that all participants had a fair and level playing field.
Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Chief of Staff, Head Quarters, Western Naval Command (WNC), the Chief Guest for the closing ceremony on Sunday at INWTC, Mumbai, presented medals to the winners.
The Indian Navy’s Sailing and Windsurfing teams performed admirably, winning two Gold medals (Nacra 17 and 470 mix classes), one Silver medal (470 mix class), and two Bronze medals (49er and iQFoil classes).
M/s Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) sponsored the tournament, which served as a YAI ranking event as well as selection trials for the Asian Games.
A team of event officials, comprising World Sailing Qualified International Race Officers, International Judges, and an International Measurer, worked tirelessly to ensure that all participants had a fair and level playing field.
The INWTC, Mumbai, is a premier naval training center for all sailing activities and has made innumerable contributions to the international medal tally of India in the sport of yachting.
Also Read: Maritime History Society’s 44th Founder Day Celebrated
