Team Herald
PANJIM: Keona Rajani, Varun Narayanan and Ashish Rao won the Twin Tip women’s and men’s and Formula Foil titles respectively in Indian National Kiteboarding Championship which concluded at Junaswaddo beach, Mandrem, on Monday.
The last day of the championship saw fortunes changing in the twin tip event due to a change in wind conditions which dropped from 18 knots to 11 knots. Alexandre Ostannin, who was leading comfortably till the penultimate day, saw his fortunes wilt with Shyam Rao and Varun racing ahead in each of the four races.
Shyam Rao performed creditably to take the gun in the first three races, while Varun pipped him to take the gun in the fourth. Varun put up a stellar performance to take the second position in the first three races and consolidate his position to win the overall championship.
Alex, however, was unfortunate to finish fourth in the second and third races and fifth in the final race. However, despite his performance, he managed to take the third overall position behind Varun and Shyam.
In the formula kite event, Asish Rao showed his supremacy, winning all the races on all three days.
Keona Rajani also showed her class by winning all 12 races. In the second race of the day, she came first amongst the girls as well as the boys.
Caroline Muillez sprang a surprise today, coming second in all races of the day beating Katya. However Katya managed to hold her overall position and Caro finished third.
Admiral Karanbir Singh, president YAI, was the chief guest along with Captain Dixit, secretary, YAI, who was the guest of honour.
