It was a golden double for the EME Sailing Association (EMESA) as Rakesh Yadav and Deelip Kumar Singh clinched the Laser Standard and Radial crowns respectively of the Goa International Sailing Week (GISW), which concluded off Morgim beach on Sunday evening. While Rakesh clinched a whopping 10 out of 11 races, Deelip won seven.
A broken ratchet right at the start cost Rakesh the 10th race in the full rig. Last off the blocks, the Bhopal native nonetheless bashed on regardless, overtaking six of the fleet to finish fifth, his least impressive display in the entire series.
With two discards permitted for a regatta having more than 10 races, Rakesh signed off in style with nine points, the best possible tally. Tying up the damaged part with rope, Rakesh sailed the last race as if nothing had happened to hamper his cause. A start from the committee vessel end proved beneficial as he took the first shift and went to the right. One tack was all he needed to circle the windward mark first, a position he maintained till he got the gun.
Deelip and arch rival Sachin Singha opted for a pin-end start in the Radial fleet. With the wind shifting right, Deelip gained because he was on windward, while Sachin on leeward lost out.
Deelip completed the opening beat first and stayed in front. Singha bridged the gap in the first run and the second upwind leg but could avert Dileep’s victory by 20 boat lengths. In the concluding contest, Deelip separated himself from the fleet by 20 boat lengths, which he extended to 35 when the hooter went.
The results: Standard: Race X: 1. M.K. Yadav, 2. Israj Ali, 3. Sunil Kumar (all EMESA); XI: 1. Rakesh Yadav, 2. M.K. Yadav, 3. Mukhtiar Singh (CESC).
Radial: Race X: 1. Dileep Kumar, 2. Sachin Singha, 3. A. Srinu (all EMESA); XI: 1. Dileep Kumar, 2. Sachin Singha, 3. S.K. Guruvaiah (all EMESA).
