Kaushal Dominates Monsoon Regatta

The Tata Photon Monsoon Regatta started with great weather, after threatening to be a damp squib of a championship with scattered thunder showers hitting the city throughout the week.

The Hobie-16 classes saw keen competition, but out-and-out winner, Kaushal Kumar and crew Girish M, ruled Hussain Sagar across all but one of the 6 races sailed for the Tata Photon Monsoon Regatta. The winds were light to medium, with a tactical flavour coming in from the south-west towards the Marriott, often softly gusting to 14 knots.

R Singh of the Navy set perfect courses. Kaushal Kumar often saw Nirmal Verma and Rao close behind, but won 5 races out of 6, leaving no doubt about who will win the Apollo Munich Hobie - 16 Inland Championship trophy.

The 5th race saw him lose Praveena and Janjirkar compatriots from AWSA, who got the gun. Unfortunately Kayshal and Girish were trapped by Verma and Rao of the Navy at the start line toward the Committee, leaving them no room to maneuver, and they had to have a delayed start, giving Praveena and Janjirkar the advantage of almost a leg over them.

In the final Tally, Kaushal and Girish are at 7 points, with Brijesh Verma and B S Rao from INWTC Mumbai far behind at 17 points without discard.

As of now, this looks like a one-horse race while it may prove to be close for second, but in sailing, like the weather, anything can happen.

The Match Racing teams were out practicing for the round robin to start on the 14th, and the Optimists were honing their skills during the spell of good weather.

Wednesday will see another 4 races for the Hobie-16, and of course, the splendid J24s will take to the water.

Courtesy: INN News