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TNSA inducts new boats

— Photo: S. Thanthoni

Admiral Sureesh Mehta, Chief of Naval Staff and President, Yachting Association of India, hands over the order of the 29er boats to M. Kutralingam, Secretary, Youth Welfare and Sports Development.

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Sailing Association (TNSA) has bought eight boats of 29er class and 50 of the Optimist class, all from Australia, for its growing number of young sailors.

At a function at the Port Trust Centenary Building here on Thursday, Admiral Sureesh Mehta, Chief of Naval Staff and President, Yachting Association of India, officially inducted the new boats.

Mehta said the good results of the TNSA sailors in the recent past (in Hyderabad recently) forced him to come to the city.

He also hoped a lot of fresh blood would make an entry in the 29er class in the future and called upon those involved in sailing “to support the cause of broadbasing the sport.”

The 29er class boats, supposed to “be faster than the wind”, said Ashok Thakkar, Commodore, TNSA, will provide the necessary impetus to the youngsters who have graduated from the Optimist class.

“The popularity of 29er class, a dinghy class, is increasing and it’s for those who want to continue sailing after finishing Optimist class,” said Ashok.

TNSA will conduct the India-International Regatta here from November 1 to 8.

Australia and Qatar have so far confirmed their participation. Capt. Subash Kumar, Chairman, Chennai Port Trust, and M. Kutralingam, Secretary, Government of TN, Youth Welfare and Sports Development, spoke in glowing terms of the quick growth of TNSA in producing champion sailors. — Principal Correspondent

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