A 10-day regatta for selection of team for Asian Games sailing competition organised by the Yachting Association of India got under way on Sunday.
The regatta at Rushikonda beach for selection of the team for the Asian Games, scheduled to be held in S. Korea from September 20 to October 4, will witness participation by more than 130 sailors in 14 different classes of boats. Over 30 additional members, comprising international judges, race officers and measurers invited by the YAI, will ensure smooth conduct and fair selection. The Selection Regatta is being organised under the aegis of the Headquarters, Eastern Naval Command of the Indian Navy, which is providing the requisite administrative support for managing the racing area and also for providing rescue support.
The selections are being held at the Rushikonda beach as the very testing conditions, wind shifts and strong current in the race area here are akin to those likely to be faced by the national team at Inchon, S. Korea, which is to be the venue for the competition. The event, being conducted on a trapezoid race course, will be witnessed by Chief National Coach Peter David Conway and members of the selection committee of the YAI. The participating teams include those from Army Yachting Node, Chennai Sailing Academy and the Indian Naval Watermanship Training Centre (INWTC) and the practice for the regatta commenced a month ago.
Formally constituted on May 15, 1960 and registered on December 22, 1964 at Calcutta, West Bengal, the YAI is affiliated to the International Sailing Federation (ISAF), which is recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the governing authority for sailing worldwide.
