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NT Bureau
Chennai, May 25:

        A good number of entries from Mumbai. Pune, Goa and Hyderabad besides the host sailors has given the cutting edge and competitive flavour to the fourth Laser Coastal National Sailing Championship from 26 to 30 May. The categories are: Laser Standard Rigs, Laser Radial Rigs, Laser 4.7 Rigs and Women Radial Rig.

        The event will take off with a sponsors race following the flag-off ceremony at Chennai Port.

        Briefing mediapersons here yesterday, Ashok Thakkar, Commodore, Tamilnadu Sailing Association (TNSA), said the backing of the government is a huge motivating factor for sailing to take wings. 'The Laser Dinghy is an Olympic class event and very popular with the sailors of our country. In a National Championship, boats ranging between 30 and 50 will be on view, making it a colourful and exciting event. Around 45 contestants are in fray this edition.' Focus will centre on the Champion Sailor Rajesh Choudhary from the Army Yachting Node. He has a number of titles in both Radial and Standard Rig. He has some good wins in Asian and Asia-Pacific events too, having struck bronze in the Asian Games at Busan and Doha.

        Tamilnadu Sailing Association, which has been focusing its activity amongst the youth will be presenting young school boys and girls in the Laser 4.7 class. The youngest sailor is Shwetha Sadanand, having established her supremacy in the recently concluded Optimist Coastal Nationals. Sailing the Laser 4.7 will be a challenge to the local girl.

        Another prominent entrant to the 4.7 class is Sarav Rajavelu, who has made it to the International Optimist Dingy Association Asian Championship as an Indian entry. Arun Dhanasekaran is also the one to watch out, getting the full-throttled encouragement from TNSA. In essence, the 4.7 fleet presents an intriguing mix of talent with the hosts fielding the maximum number of young contenders. Brig. Raggi is the principal race officer with C S Pradipak, an Arjuna Awardee, the Jury and Protest Committee Chairman.

        Schedule of events - 25 May: Inaugural ceremony and flagging off of boats.

        26 May: 1 p.m - Races 1, 2, 3 (Laser, Radial & 4.7).

        27 May: 1 p.m - Races 4, 5, 6 (Laser, Radial & 4.7).

        28 May: 1 p.m - Races 7,8, 9 (Laser, Radial & 4.7).

        29 May: 1 p.m - Races 10, 11, 12 (Laser, Radial & 4.7).

        30 May: 7 p.m - Closing ceremony and prize distribution.