HYDERABAD: Preethi Kongara, Jhansi Priya and Lakshmi Nookarathnam would not have imagined their selection at the Asian & Ocenian Championships at Oman. Post a fantastic show at the Monsoon Regatta, Jhansi, who is only 12 years old and the other two at 15, are set to leave the Indian shores for the their first International Regatta, with more than 300 sailors from across the Asian and Ocenian regions.
Titled the Asian and Oceanian Championship’s, include both individual fleet racing and team racing at the Mussanah Sports City, Oman, from September 30 to October 7. A fleet of about 150 participants are expected from over 20 countries.
The girls won gold, silver and bronze at the recently concluded Telangana State Championships. Preethi Kongara made history winning the National Ranking Mons-oon Regatta Gold thereafter.
“We would like to reach the venue much earlier with our coach to get used to the wind and the water,” said Preethi, brimming with confidence after her two wins. “With six of the Indian contingent from the Yacht Club of Hyderabad, it is certainly a matter of pride that our efforts have paid off, especially with the girls that come under the Naavika Project. I do look forward to a few medals coming to India this year as the girls are primed to give their best,” said Suheim Sheikh their coach and president of the Yacht Club.
Vijay Kumar, Sachin Bethmalla and Vishwanath Padidala are also ex Yacht Club sailors who honed their skills at Hussainsagar before being absorbed by the Army and Navy Sailing Schools.
