Nautica SMIBS Navy Cup Regatta 2008
-WD Team

Mumbai’s largest sail boat race was held on Saturday, Feb 23 as a pre-event to the awaited International Boat show 2008. Regatta is a race held for all class of sail boats and yachts. An annual event that boasts of more than 300 sailors from all age groups of 7 to 70 and above. This year the oldest participant was an 82 year old sailor. These participants are members of the various clubs and associations that are affiliated with the Yachting Association of India.

The sea, high winds and good sea currents allowed the sailors to enjoy the race and face the challenges of the sea. Falling in the ocean, jumping back, holding onto the sails from ripping apart and the extreme control of the boats from toppling over were some of the daring attempts to not only remain intact but to win the race as well. It was very encouraging to see children as young as 7-8 years old participating in dingy sailboats all on their own facing touch challenges of the sea. The sight put all of us non-sailors to shame, tch, tch!

There were incidents of sails being ripped off and several sailors almost loosing control of the boat; but it is this very thrill of danger, adventure and fun that makes it up for all the exhilaration and exhaustion. The preparation, the running around, sailing till the start and then returning back, the entire trip was fun, filled with enjoyment. There were three groups under which all classes of boats fell into.

Regatta has grown to become one of the most prestigious sailing events in the country. Attracting variety of sail boats to compete on the race of its sea course and taking the sport to a different level. Below mentioned were the winners of this year’s Regatta 2008 that precedes the Mumbai International Boat Show to be held from Feb 28 to March 2, 2008. In the following week, we shall talk about the boating industry and the show, so tune in to http://whitedrums.com.

Prize Winners

Lightening class winner Mehul Ashar, Gaurav Shinde and Gyan Corea
Seabird class winner Cyrus Heerjee, Anil Mathija, Darayus Shroff and Zena Shroff
J-24 class winner R. Mahesh, Nitin Mongia, N. Sharma, R. Dhulajiand Rahul
A class winner Homi Motivala, Amit Arvind, SS Yadav, Pradhan, Rohini Behl and Mahinder Pal
470 class winner P. Muthu and N. Bhaskaran
420 class winner Prasad Shellar and Deepak Nalla
Enterprise class winner M. Nadar and GL Yadav
Catamaran class winner Naresh Yadav and BB Barik
Skiff class winner Malav Shroff and Amish Ved
Laser class winner N.S. Johal
Laser Radial class winner Gajender Singh
Board class winner Prakash
Optimist class winner A. Chaurasia
Women’s trophy winner Ayesha Lobo