DONA PAULA: Goa may still spring a surprise at the Goa International Sailing Week for the vClusive Cup at Cidade de Goa, Vainguinim Beach and Dolphin Adventure Sports, Hawaii Beach, Dona Paula.
Ajay Patel and Guru Nath of the Goa Beach Sports Association (GBSA) took first place in Hobie Cats Race 4. This is their second gun in the regatta, apart from another third place on Friday, and if they keep it up, may well be in contention for a podium position; Goa’s first ever in the Hobie Cat class.
Maheshwar Padhav, though he took the gun in all four races sailed today in the Olympic RS:X Windsurfing class, is facing protests from the Race Committee in the first two races for failing to round a mark. He may face disqualification in those if found in error.
Upamanyu Dutta, however, continued his triumphant march in the Laser Std class. He won three races out of four, with a third in Race 5. Nagarjuna of Trishna Sailing Club, Bengaluru, won all four races in the Junior Laser 4.7 class.
Designed by Bruce Kirby, the Laser sailboat is one of the most popular single-handed dinghies in the world. As of 2012, there were more than 200,000 Lasers sailing worldwide. The reason for its popularity is that it is robust and simple to rig and sail, with very few moving parts. It is also extremely fast, especially when sailing downwind.
The Laser Standard, with a 7 sq metre sail, is an Olympics single hander class. The Laser hull can also be sailed with smaller mast sections and sails. The Laser Radial, for example, with a 5.5 sq metre sail, is the women’s single hander boat for the Olympics, while the Laser 4.7 is a training and competition boat for junior sailors. All three classes are being sailed in this regatta.
