Chennai, January 9:
The SDAT ASAF India International Youth Sailing Championship 2026 and the 11th India International Regatta (IIR 2026) concluded on a dramatic note in Chennai as powerful winds and rough seas tested the limits of young sailors, turning the final day into a battle of survival, skill, and resilience.
With wind speeds crossing 25 knots, the Bay of Bengal unleashed its fiercest conditions of the week, forcing race officials to abandon two scheduled races midway and allowing only one final race to be safely completed across fleets. Multiple capsizes were reported across categories, underlining the brutal nature of the weather on the concluding day of competition.
Despite the truncated schedule, the regatta closed on a high with a total of ten quality races successfully completed over the course of the championship. The event, supported by the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) and the Asian Sailing Federation (ASAF), once again reinforced Chennai’s reputation as the country’s most demanding yet rewarding youth sailing venue.
The built-in spare day in the competition calendar allowed teams to recover from the physical toll of racing and explore Chennai, offering a rare cultural breather after an intense week on the water.
International Brilliance Across Classes – IIR 2026
The regatta witnessed outstanding performances from both Indian and overseas sailors, highlighting the growing depth of youth sailing talent.
Optimist Girls
Irish sailor Philippa Aisling Cox Arthurs of the Royal St George Yacht Club dominated the Optimist Girls category, finishing on top ahead of India’s Shringhari Roy (SSC) in second place. Another Irish talent, Lilly Sheridan, completed the podium.
Optimist Boys
India’s Krishna Venkitachalam of the Royal Madras Yacht Club clinched gold in the Optimist Boys fleet, displaying remarkable consistency through the series. Malaysia’s Khairulilzani Bin Mohd Afendy finished second, while India’s Ravi Kumar Benneollu secured bronze.
ILCA 4 Girls
The ILCA 4 Girls category saw a clean sweep for NSS Bhopal, with Aastha Pandey, Tulsi Patle, and Mahi Verma finishing first, second, and third respectively — a testament to the academy’s structured youth programme.
ILCA 4 Boys
Peerkatla Manadeep of Trishna Sailing Club emerged champion in the ILCA 4 Boys class, followed by Ankit Singh Sisodiya and Rajveer Yadav, both representing NSS Bhopal.
420 Class
In the mixed 420 category, Aarti Verma and Aryan Harshyana (CESC) delivered a composed campaign to take the top spot, ahead of Hriethik Amarjaiswal and Samanvi U (Trishna SC).
29er
The high-performance 29er class was dominated by Trishna Sailing Club sailors, with Akash Mahesh Tangai and Krishna Diwakar clinching gold, while Pallara Govardhan and Ruben Narlekar took silver.
iQFoil Boys
India’s Razaa Ahmed Khan, representing the Yachting Association of India, powered his way to the top of the iQFoil Boys fleet, showcasing exceptional balance and board control in treacherous winds.
Grand Finale and Looking Ahead – IIR 2026
The regatta will officially conclude with the Prize Distribution and Closing Ceremony, to be presided over by Thiru Udhayanidhi Stalin, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, marking a prestigious close to one of India’s most celebrated international youth sailing events.
Organisers expressed heartfelt gratitude to sponsors, coaches, sailors, team leaders, and volunteers who travelled to Chennai and contributed to the championship’s success. The focus now shifts to IIR 2027, as the regatta continues to expand in stature, competitiveness, and global recognition.
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