Derrick, Dwayne, Rajesh, Hussain, Gajender, Ali, Aishwarya, Rohini top
nat sailing
HERALD SPORTS DESK
PANJIM, MAY 2
Derrick regained the National Boardsailing title off Dona Paula on Sunday. Dwayne claimed the national junior crown.
The boardsailors literally flew over the waves as they raced in the ninth race in strong winds. Donald, Remy and Derrick started one behind the other in close formation. Donald held the lead till the windward mark followed by Derrick and Remy.
Derrick then powered on the reach and shot past Donald, to take the lead. However, a determined Donald snatched the lead again in a tacking duel on the beat, and led again till the last leg of the race, only to be beaten by the Derrick again in the last reach.
In the laser full rig, Gajendar Singh stamped his mark winning both races and the overall championship too. Gajendar had a tough fight on his hands today, with Sukhvir Singh and Mohanlal breathing down his neck. Gajendar managed to keep both the oponents at bay, in both races which saw plenty of capsizes in the strong wind conditions. The ultimate top three places were taken by Gajendar Singh, Harihara and Sukhvir Singh.
In the laser radial class, Rajesh Choudhary proved that he is head and shoulders above the rest wining both races comfortably. There was a close tussle between B. K. Rout, Jasvir Singh and Ramesh Kumar. In the first race, Jasvir managed to pip Rout for the second spot. But in the third race Rout kept Jasvir well covered to take the second spot and push Jasvir to fifth spot. Rout thus managed to capture the overall second position in the championships with Ramesh Kumar taking the third spot.
In the laser radials (girls), Rohini Rao, who beat many of the male competitors, won the championships comfortably followed by Mrinalini. Santhanam in the second place and Pallavi Naik of Goa in the third sport.
In Laser 4.7, Swetha Sadanandan shocked all her male counterparts wining the first race followed by Hussain and Rufus. Hussain kept Rufus covered all the way to ensure that he held him back, since he was his main opponent. Hussain, however, won the last race comfortably followed by Rufus andShweta.
Hussain thus captured the overall title for boys with Rufus taking the second spot and Praveen the third.
In the Laser Radial for girls, Aishwarya Cheziyan captured the title followed closely by Shweta Sadanandan in the second spot and Zephra Curimbhoy in the third.
Admrial Sudhir Pillai was the chief guest and gave away the trophies.
