It turned out to be an anti-climax. What was expected to be a thrilling race between Sandeep-S.R. Rout pair and Yakobu-R. Kumar duo — separated by a point — on the final day of the RMYC-Vestas National championship 420 class at the Chennai Harbour on Sunday, didn't happen in the first place.
The last two races were cancelled in both the 420 and 470 classes due to constant shifting of winds varying between 150 and 280 degrees making it impossible for the Principal Race Officer D.P. Selvam to finalise a mark after unsuccessfully waiting for two and a half hours for the wind to settle down.
“According to the International Sailing Federation rules, if the shifting winds cross the 30 degree mark, the Principal Race Officer has the right to cancel the race after waiting for a time which he deems fit,” explained Selvam.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Army Yachting Node pair of Sandeep-Rout, the overnight leaders, was declared winners in the 420 class. K. Yakobu-R. Kumar (AWSA, Hyderabad) duo, trailing by a point on Saturday, had to be content with second place. For Sandeep and Rout, it was the third successive National title in Chennai in the 420 class.
In the 470 class, overnight leaders P. Muthu and Narender (AYN), who were leading with 17 penalty points, emerged champion. Ayuz Shaikh-Ashok Kumar (20 pp) finished second.
The first two days of the Nationals were lost to uncertain weather conditions and storm warning.
ADVERTISEMENT
The results (after eight races):
420 class: 1. Sandeep Jain-S.R. Rout (AYN, 11 pp), 2. K. Yakobu-R. Kumar (AWSA, 12), 3. Yaduraj Lad-B.K. Maiti (AWSA, 18).
470: 1. P. Muthu-Narender (AYN, 17), 2. Ayuz Shaikh-Ashok Kumar (AYN, 20), 3. J. Manu-P.C. Jitender (AYN, 23).