Inaugural Navy Cup Water Sports Festival, a huge success

Anuradha ABEYSEKERA

Sri Lanka Navy took the initiative to entertain the crowds in misty Little England by conducting their inaugural Navy Cup Water Sports Festival at the spectacular Gregory Lake in Nuwara Eliya recently.

The Jet skiing event in progress at the Gregory Lake

Tough contest in the Kayak event.

SL Navy in collaboration with Nuwara Eliya Municipal Council brought this unique experience to the beautiful hill country during the Nuwara Eliya season allowing thousands of sports loving visitors to catch the excitement.

The main event of the competition, Jet Ski Championship has been won by G. A. Tharindu of the Sunshine Water SC, Bentota and he was awarded the prestigious 'Navy Cup' challenge shield.

There were four competitive events where competitors from across the country vied for honours testing their skills on the chilling waters of Gregory Lake.

The Arrow boat maneuvers displayed by the Navy's elite Special Boat Squadron (SBS) during the intervals stunned the spectators with excitement.

The wind surfing and skiing displays were too among the main attractions of the festival. Navy Commander Vice Admiral Somathilake Dissanayake and Nuwara Eliya Mayor Mahinda Dodampe Gamage were the chief guests at the award ceremony.

Navy Commander presented a special memento to Nuwara Eliya Mayor in appreciation of the support he rendered to make this event a great success.

Results -

130 HP and below (Drag)

Winner - Thusal Gunawardena (Sea Doo SC)

Runner up - Thushara Shantha Kumara - (SL Navy)

130 HP and below (Slalom)

Winner - G.A. Tharindu (Sunshine SC)

Runner up - M.E. Ranganath (SL Navy)

130 HP below (Drag - Veteran)

Winner - Commodore D. Amaranayeke (SL Navy)

Runner up - Rear Adniral D. Darmasiriwardena (SL Navy)

Kayak

Winner - H.G.S. Karunathilake (Kayak Association)

Runner up - K.C.L. Gunawardena (SL Navy)