66 sailors at the iconic Galle Face Sea at Navy Cup 2024
The Ladies College Sailing Team
(From left): Tarini de Silva, Naadya Tranchell, Kyoshi Samarakkodi, Kyasha Samarakkodi, Taalya Tranchell, Sohanya de Mel, McKaella Karunaratne (not in pic)
The Navy Cup 2024, held as a tribute to the late Admiral Clancy Fernando, was staged on April 26 and 27 on the seas across from the iconic Galle Face. A total of 54 boats from six boat classes – Single-Handed boats – the Optimist and ILCA (ILCA 4,6 and 7), Double-Handed boats the GP 14 and Enterprise) and the wind surfers, sailed on the waters with 66 enthusiastic sailors from 10 clubs taking part.
The participating clubs were Sri Lanka Navy, Ladies College, Royal College, S. Thomas’ College, Methodist College, Royal Colombo Yacht Club (RCYC), Ceylon Motor Yacht Club (CMYC), Future Fibers, Ruhunu Sailing Club, Bentota Wind Surfing Club and North Sail School Club from the Northern Province, the latter, participating for the first time.
In the medals standing, Sri Lanka Navy was placed first with Ladies College coming in at second place and Royal College finishing at third. Royal College dominated the Single-Handed class, also known as the Optimist Class for youth Under-15, with Ladies College dominating the ILCA 4 and 6 Single-Handed class of boat. The Navy dominated the Double-Handed classes of GP14 and Enterprise.
The Chief Guest for the awards ceremony was Chief of Staff and National Security Advisor to the President, Sagala Ratnayake. The wife of the late Admiral Clancy Fernando, Mrs. Monika Fernando and the family, the Chief of Staff of Sri Lanka Navy, Rear Admiral Pradeep Ratnayake along with the Director General, officers from the Sri Lanka Navy Sailing Club, officials of the other clubs, sailors, sponsors and well-wishers of the contestants were also present on this occasion.
It was two memorable days of sailing for the sailors, now having the wonderful opportunity to sail in Colombo on the seas at Galle Face in Colombo.