South Asian Yachting Regatta from Dec 26 to 30
Sailing in the island will receive the much needed boost, and will as
well go to hold the interest of the enthusiasts and followers of the
sport when the South Asian Yachting Regatta involving the top most
countries in the region India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka takes place on the
waters of the Bolgoda Lake from Dec 26 to 30.
This regatta had its origin in Trincomalee and it was sailed for the
first time in 1970. Sri Lanka revived this event after a lapse of 24
years in 2004, and Pakistan hosted in 2005, and unfortunately India was
unable to host it in 2006 due to unavoidable circumstances. Sri Lanka -
a neutral destination to both India and Pakistan came forward to host it
this year once again.
The competition involves a series of short races between the teams,
each team sailing three International Enterprise class dinghies. This
was original class of Boats sailed at SAYR.
Optimist class single handed boats which was introduced in 2004, will
participate in a series of separate team race for SAYR Junior Trophy,
here the participants will be children aged 9-15.
For the first time this year, Laser 4.7 class, single handed boats
will be introduced to the regatta, which is sailed by young sailors aged
16-18. While the SAYR team races, there will be an open event for all
classes of boats, sailing for the Lewis Brown Trophy.
This will be a gala event that is expected to see the largest
aggregation of sailing boats on the water in Sri Lanka.
In 2005 Optimist team which represented Sri Lanka in Pakistan created
history by winning a gold for their team event, and securing first,
second, third respectively in their individual events.
Previous participants in Sri Lanka’s winning teams included Ray
Wijewardane, Lalin Jirasingha, Nihal Jinasena and Romesh Illangakoon,
the two of which are Asian Games silver and bronze medallists.
The original challenge Trophy was donated by Sir Thomas Lipton and
individual event trophy was awarded by Lewis Brown and Company.
The SAYR which has been won by Sri Lanka in well over half the
occasion on which it has sailed, promises some exciting and a large
turnout of spectators at the Ceylon Motor Yacht Club, Bolgoda from
December 26 to 30, 2007. R.D |
