Army Yachting Node, Mumbai held the YAI Sailing Championship 2023 at Girgaum Chowpatty from February 7–13, 2023.
This competition served as the third trial for the next Asian Games, which are set to take place in China in September 2023. It also served as a ranking event for both junior and senior divisions.
The week-long event drew 189 participants from 16 different clubs across the nation.
For the first time ever in the nation, Formula Kite was introduced and participants were invited.
This event featured 14 different boat classes, including the ILCA 7, ILCA 6, 49er, 49erFX, 470 (mixed), NACRA 17 (mixed), RS:X (men and women), IQ Foil (men and women), Formula Kite (men and women), and ILCA 4 (boys and girls) for junior classes. There were approximately 140 competitors from 12 different training and racing organisations and sailing clubs across India.
The weather was consistent, and the event’s changing conditions and medium to strong winds brought out the best in every sailor.
Mumbai residents could also take in the celebration, which was viewable from Chowpatty Beach and locations all along the Queen’s Necklace.
Army Yachting Node sailors dominated the competition, taking home a total of 10 medals—five gold, five silver, and four bronze—and qualifying for the Asian Games in 2023 in the Laser, Nacra 17, iQ Foil, and RS-X classes. Brother and sister sailors Vishnu and Ramya Saravanan also qualified for the Asian Games.
