Sri Lanka Juniors for IODA Asian and Oceanian Sailing Championship
Sri Lanka’s junior national sailing team left for the prestigious IODA Asian and Oceanian Championship to be held in Clearwater Bay, Hong Kong, from December 29 to January 5. Representing Sri Lanka this year are three girls, Laila Hazari (Methodist College), Sohanya de Mel (Ladies’ College) and McKaella Karunaratne (Ladies’ College); and seven boys – Kevaan de Costa (Royal College), Minuga Hettigamage (Royal College), A. Luqmaan Aneeq (Royal College), Binal Perera (Royal College), Randira Hangarangoda (Royal College), Haren Wickramatillake (S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia) and Akaine Ubayasiri (S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia).
Arguably one of the world’s toughest Optimist sailing races, this year’s course is set to test the competitors’ skills, techniques and endurance. Facing gruelling six-hour stretches on sea, with high winds and cold waters expected at Clear Waterbay this year, the competitors will battle in both individual and team racing.
Seated (from left): V. Satsorupan (Team Manager), Krishan Janaka (National Coach), Kalpani de Mel (Lady Chaperone) First row (from left): Haren Wickramatillake, McKaella Karunaratne, Laila Hazari, Sohanya de Mel, Akein Ubayasiri. Second row (from left): Randira Hangarangoda, Kevaan de Costa, Luqmaan Aneeq, Binal Perera, Minuga Hettigamage
The sport, aptly named ‘Chess on Water’, is expected to challenge Sri Lankan sailors who will have to tackle unpredictable wind shifts in brand new waters. Adding to the race course dynamics, seeking out the wind pressure will prove to be no easy task due to the high level of competition. Tension, the fight for medals and mounting pressure as the days proceed while keeping calm on water would be the sailors’ most daunting challenge. The intensely competitive sailing championship that began in 1990 will kick off tomorrow. Ten races are scheduled with a maximum of three races per fleet per day. Team racing will comprise of a maximum of 16 teams from the members of Asia and Oceania, represented by at least four competitors in each team.
The week-long sailing championship will witness 133 competitors from 20 countries vying for the IODA Perpetual Trophy. The Sri Lankan team will compete with top sailors from around the world including world champions. Following a growing number of participants, the championship introduced two new fleets – the Red and Blue – in addition to the regular Gold and Silver fleets last year. Among others, Hong Kong, USA, Spain, Italy, Australia, Japan, Thailand, Singapore, New Zealand, China, India, Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE are expected to participate this year.
“Sri Lankan sailors have been doing well at various international events despite limited resources and lack of sea training venues, and we are confident these young sailors will once again compete to bring glory to the country,” said Sarath Kuragama, the Chief Operating Officer of the Yachting Association of Sri Lanka. (YASL)
The team was selected following races conducted in September by YASL, and approved by both the Ministry of Sports and the Ministry of Education. Since the selections, the sailors have been training under the National Sailing Coach Krishan Janaka and Laser National Coach Roshil Nisantha, at the Ceylon Motor Yacht Club and the Crow Island Navy base. V. Satsorupan of Royal College will accompany the team as Manager and Kalpani de Mel as Lady Chaperone.
“This young team has been completely committed and trained hard, juggling exams and facing extreme weather conditions. I am certain they will perform well in Hong Kong,” said Janaka.
“We are indebted to the Sri Lankan Navy for providing us with a sea venue and assistance, and hope to bring a medal home this year,” he said.
The event is the continental championship for Asian and Oceanian nation members of the International Optimist Dinghy Association, which oversees the fundamental class in the world of sailing for the 7–15-year age group. Sri Lanka has been fielding sailors for the championship since 1994.