Asian Games medallists

The Pakistan team included sailors of renown such as, Mamoon Sadiq, a silver medallist at the 1998 Asian Games and Shehryar Arshad, a silver medallist at the 2002 Asian Games in Busan, South Korea.

The Indian Optimist team also included many Asian champions who had fared prominently at the Indian Open Championships last year. Some of these youngsters were, Mhartre, Suraj Singh, Chewguio and Sabir.

Optimist Class

Lalin Jirasinha, a bronze medallist at the 1998 Asian Games in Thailand, who is now the Sailing Convenor of the Yachting Association of Sri Lanka speaking to The Island said the boats used by the Optimist Class sailors are the largest class of dinghies in the world.

Speaking of the young sailors, Jirasinha said (Optimist Class) that sailing teaches them many attributes, like survival, discipline and decision making, and sailing is an environment friendly sport.

"It is I who kick-started this event and there are nearly young sailers training with me, of whom 11 are girls. Sri Lanka has a bright future in yachting when these young ‘uns bloom in the years ahead,’ said Lalin Jirasinha.

The Pioneer

The pioneer in local sailing, Dr. Ray Wijewardene speaking to The Island said that it was he who started the Tri-Nation Yachting Regatta way back in 1970. "The first meet was held in the Trinco harbour and the Indian and the Pakistani sailors came to the championship carrying their boats in air-craft carriers and battleships. This championship, in spite of giving healthy competition to all competitors also spread camaraderie among the sailors from the three countries," Dr. Wijewardene told The Island. Asked about yachting in Sri Lanka in the future, he pointed out to these youngsters who were taking part in the Optimist class and answered: "The future lies in them. They certainly have a good future." Dr. Ray Wijewardene represented Sri Lanka at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico, where he came 14th, out of 54 world class competitors. He won a silver medal at the 1970 Asian Games in Bangkok.

Drawback

It is reliably understood that Sri Lanka, since 1976, had won the team Sailing Championships in 1978 in India, in 1970 at Trincomalee and in 1981 in India.

Hence, this meet had given the Sri Lanka sailors a slight drawback. The President, Yachting Association of Sri Lanka, Ananda Wimaladharma told The Island that this revived South Asian Regatta had once again brought on good camaraderie among the sailors of the three countries.

"The standard at this championship had been very high and besides fostering good relationships, it had also helped the sailors to grow up together, specially the Optimist Class of sailors, the future of our countries," he said.

"Ceylon Cold Stores had always being assisting various sports, like cricket (the Lemonade Trophy where over 1000 matches are played).

Our sponsorship for water sports, too, has been generous. We believe with Bitter Lemon affording its sponsorship to the 10th South Asian Yachting Regatta, 2004, will also help the sport develop further in the country," said Jit Gunaratne, Sector Head and Beverage Man-ufacturing, John Keells Holdings.

Ms. Prenith Gunawardene of the Yachting Association of Sri Lanka co-ordinated the championship in a very successful manner.

The next championship will be held in Karachi, Pakistan.