Navy Commander Samarasinghe most supportive of sailing

Richard Dwight

It could without reservation be said, that the Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral, Thisara Samarasinghe, is deeply committed in the cause of promoting and fostering of sailing, as a sport in the country.

Samarasinghe gave tangible expression to this, when he recently drove all the way from Colombo to the Panadura fisheries harbour to witness the sailing regatta for the Navy Challenge Cup.

It was an yearly regatta, an annual event in the calendar of the Yachting Association of Sri Lanka (YASL) which was organized and conducted by YASL and hosted by the Navy, who proved to be the perfect hosts.

Samarasinghe's presence against the torrid afternoon heat and a very busy schedule, was indeed a source of inspiration and encouragement not only to the officials of the regatta but to the participants, more especially to the sailors of the Navy who have taken to the sport in the past few years in a big way.

Samarasinghe, addressing those present on the aspect of sailing, dwelt on the merits of the sport, which went down well with those governing the sport and the competitors, a good of whom were from the Navy.

He pursued the point by stressing that those desirous of joining the Navy should have a knowledge of sailing.

Elaborating on this, he meant that a yacht/sailboat has neither a rudder or motor - it moves along as the sailor tilts and manoeuvre the sails according to the wind strengths and its directions. All this enables the sailor to develop a sense of balance, which could come in handy in sea faring large vessels concluded Samarasinghe.

The YASL concluded the year with the regatta for the Navy Challenge Cup with there being 2 races, one for the GP14 and the enterprises and the other for the Lasers. There were around 25 boats and, the heat being far too excessive and the winds being boisterous to be contrary the 2 races had to be confined to the Panadura Fisheries harbour and not on the sea. The Navy sailors were right on top to dominate proceedings.

Results

Fleet Race (GP/Enterprises)

Winners: M. Ghanawardene and Zoysa (Sri Lanka Navy)

1st Runner up - Joseph Kenny and Pramukshi Kariyawasam (Ceylon Motor Yacht Club)

2nd Runner up - Pushpakumara and Kumara (Sri Lanka Navy)

4th Place - W. P. K. Janaka and W. A. R. Nishantha (Sri Lanka Navy)

5th Place - Frank and Jeramy Bolling (Ceylon Motor Yacht Club)

6th Place - Jayasuriya and Dhanushka (Sri Lanka Navy)

7th Place - Appuhamy and D. P. Newton (Sri Lanka Navy)

8th Place - Per Svendsen Snr and Per Fedrik (Ceylon Motor Yacht Club)

9th Place - Asita Tennekoon and Chandima Gunawardene (Ceylon Motor Yacht Club)

Laser Class

Winner: Thushara (Sri Lanka Navy)

1st Runner up - K. G. C. U. S. Bandara (Sri Lanka Navy)

2nd Runner up - Ernst Prachatik (Ceylon Motor Yacht Club)