8th India International Regatta 2016 Presented by Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, GOI (MOYAS) and Sports Development Authority of TN, GOTN ASAF Youth Cup 2016-17 – Leg 1 at Chennai
100% Competition, 0% Pollution!
The 8th edition of the Only International Youth Sailing Competition of India is due to be held from Dec 15th to Dec 20th 2016. Organised by the Tamil Nadu Sailing Association (TNSA) under the aegis of the Yachting Association of India (YAI) and the Asian Sailing Federation (ASAF), the India International Regatta (IIR) 2016 is the only event of its kind in the country and keenly anticipated by sailors from India and many other Asian nations. As the first leg of the Asian Sailing Federation Youth Cup 2016-17, we have just over a hundred and fifty sailors from across the world representing 18 countries including India entered in the event, which will feature the youth classes of boats, the Optimist, 29er and Laser 4.7 Laser Radial, 420 and the windsurfer class, RS1. IIR 2016 will be inaugurated on the 15thDecember 2016 by the Hon Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Mr S Pandia Rajan.
The event’s Lead Sponsor is Titan Industries, the Co-sponsors are Larsen and Tubro Construction and IOCL Ltd and supported by TTDC, TT Insurance broking services and Taj Club House.
The Optimist is the international single-handed class for juniors up to the age of 15. Ninety percent of the Olympic sailors are said to have started their career in this boat. The largest number of entries are in this class.
The Laser 4.7 is a hugely popular single-handed youth class which is a stepping stone to the Olympic classes Laser Standard and Radial. The relatively newer Australian skiff 29er that ‘sails faster than the wind that propels it’ is one of the most exciting boats ever designed and it has captured the fascination of the youth worldwide like few other boats have. The interest in this boat has grown exponentially in a very short period and this class has now gained a prominent place in the European circuit and the Asian Championships. It is the intermediate class for sailors who aspire for the Olympic classes 49er, 49FX. The 420 class is a stepping stone to the Olympic 470 class of boats. It is worth noting that it was TNSA that introduced both the youth classes Laser 4.7 and 29er to India, the former in the Laser Coastal Nationals held here in 2006 and the 29er in the inaugural India International Regatta in 2009.
International Race officials and Jury have been appointed to ensure that the conduct of the event is scrupulously fair and efficient. International Race Officer Jerrold Wei Ng from Singapore is the Principal Race Officer for the event assisted by TNSA member and RYA race officer Mylai Prabhakar, while International Judge Selvam Mookken from Singapore is back to chair the jury which will comprise of distinguished International Judges from Oman, Korea and Indian National Judges.
With the NE Monsoon yet to fully set in, the Bay of Bengal is expected to provide the sailors with challenging conditions equal to any international sailing centre. The competition promises to be intense and exciting as all the participating countries have fielded their top sailors who have produced excellent performances in key international events.
In the seven years that TNSA has run this international regatta, their constant endeavour has been to elevate Indian sailing to a new level and bring the best of world talent to India. Besides providing the Indian sailors an opportunity to sail with the best in the world, this event has promoted excellence in the sport of sailing and has also firmly established Chennai as an important sailing destination in the world. It is the organizers’ earnest hope that the Tamil Nadu Government will soon create the proposed marina facility which will further boost sailing activities as well as other water sports in the state besides attracting leisure yachts as well to our shores.
Pleased with the growing international participation, Dr. M. Arumugam, commodore of the TNSA, says, “It is wonderful to see sailors from nations far and near coming to Chennai to participate in the IIR. Sailing engenders kinship across communities and helps establish cross cultural exchanges between nations. There is tremendous potential for taking this sport to a greater level in India and in the not too far future we hope to see India as one among the greatest sailing nations. With the kind of support we have received from the ministry of sports at the state and the center and our sponsors for this event, it is certainly possible. We have produced an Asian Games bronze medal winning team from here, why not an Olympian?!”
“We are very happy to be associated with the India International Regatta for the 4th successive year. As the lead sponsor of the ‘India International Regatta,’ we have the honour of extending our relationship with sailors in India with our SF brand of watches" said S. Ravi Kant, the Chief Executive Officer of Watches & Accessories, Titan Company Ltd. He further added, “We see a great synergy between sailing and our brand, and the growing popularity of sailing in India makes this a great opportunity for us to partner with the sport. Sailing is an adventure sport – a cerebral and physically exacting sport that epitomizes the brands core value of “live more every second”.
Entry for spectators is free and we would like to invite all those who would like to witness this wonderful, one of its kind, event to write in to us at tansail@gmail.com so entry passes can be organised.
