Sailing gears up for Asian Games

Richard Dwight

Sailing: There is much enthusiasm and activity prevailing at the Ceylon Motor Yacht Club - where the junior and senior yachtsmen/women, are busy gearing themselves for the forthcoming Asian Games to be held in Doha this year.

Having got past the sailing nationals earlier this month, the subsequent trials and, an extensive training session for the young under Belgium and Internaitonal coach, Andrew Uuilment - the aspiring sailors young and old, will compete in a fleet race this Sunday, October 22nd at Bolgoda for the 'Mearsk' trophy. For this Mearsk Trophy sailing championship this Sunday, there will be around 30 boats on a '90 minute' course.

Some boats will have helm and crew, accounting for 2 sailors, while yet other boats will be sailed single handed with just the helm making around 40 sailors competing in their respective boats viz; GP 14, Enterprises and Lasers.

Sailing has grown to be popular amongst the Juniors, ranging from the age of 8 to 18 and is found to be on the increase. Much excitement abounds amongst these youngsters when it comes to sailing, and these Juniors 20 in number would be seen sailing single handed in their 'Optimist' boats this Sunday.

Arrangements for this fleet race for the Mearsk Trophy are in the hands of the Commodore CMYC Mohan Balasuriya, and President YASL Joseph Kenny with assistance coming from Lalin Jirasingha, Rohan Pethiyagoda, Asanga Gunewardena and Hans Svendsen.

The organizers hope there would be bright weather, with strong winds prevailing for they believe in the old adage - No Winds! No sailing.