Mumbai to host Senior National Yatching Championship

New Delhi: In the coming week, Mumbai will witness one of the best sailors, including 17-year-old Nethra Kumanan competing for this year's Senior National Yatching Championship.

This year's championship will see more than 125 competitors in the Laser (Standard), Laser (Radial), 470 (Men), RS:X (Men), Enterprise and Hobie 16 from all over the country vying for the title in the respective classes.

The races are scheduled over five days off Mumbai's Sunk Rock Lighthouse. The Lasers, 470, RSX and Hobie racing will have significant emphasis on athleticism and makes sailing one of the most competitive sport.

The Yachting Association of India (YAI) Senior National Championship 2015, being hosted by the Indian Navy Watermanship Training Centre (INWTC) Mumbai, will take place from October 19 to 23.

17-year-old Kumanan from Tamil Nadu will also participate in the event. She will also be vying for a berth in 2016 Olympic qualification scheduled to be at Oman in November 15.

Kumanan has flown down from Israel where she is currently training under Eshed Mesertiz, the renowned Israeli sailor and coach.

Also, defending their title will be the reigning Hobie 16 National Champions Brij Verma and Pankaj Kumar from the Indian Navy.

"We're no stranger to hosting championships and are very excited to host the prestigious Senior National Championship at Mumbai," said Vice Admiral SPS Cheema Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, which is organising the regatta.