There were smiles all around at the prize-giving ceremony in a city hotel here on Sunday night.
Amid threats from inclement weather, the Sonata-India International Regatta had been successfully conducted. Rain that had lashed the city relented and the races could largely be held smoothly. Many of the contests were gripping. Despite close battles in the waters, there was great bonhomie between the sailors at the end of it all.
Coaches and contestants from as many as 16 countries were present at the function. Among the winners were India’s Vishnu Saravanan (Laser Radial), UAE’s Mohammed Abdulkareem (Laser 4.7) and Saif Saeed (Optimist), and Denmark’s Caspar Ladeford and Jakob Jensen (29ers).
None was happier than the host of the event, the Tamil Nadu Sailing Association.
Speaking on the occasion, Ashok Thakkar, commodore, TNSA, thanked everyone for the staging of the event. Flag Officer-Tamil Nadu, Rear Admiral Alok Bhatnagar, was among the guests of honour on the night.
