'Ocean Blue' offshore sailing flagged off

Kochi, Jan 12 (UNI) Kerala Home and Tourism Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishanan flagged off the 'Ocean Blue' offshore sailing championship at a colourful 'sail parade' here, today.

A total of 12 enterprise class boats, seven J-24 boats, six laser boats and one seabird boat swamped the waterfront even as the crew displayed their sailing skills.

The seven J-24 boats from various Watermanship Training Centres (WTC) of the Navy and the one Seabird boat of the Kerala Yachting Association (KYA) participated in the 'In-Port' race.

These boats would sail to Lakshadweep, which would be the 'Ocean leg' of the race.

Of the eight teams, two were from Mumbai, two from Vishakapatnam, three from Kochi and one team of the KYA.

This was for the first time, the KYA was participating in a championship organised by the Offshore Sailing Association of India - OSA (I).

The Ocean leg of the championship would start on January 13 off Kochi harbour. The boats would reach Kavaratti around January 17.

The second leg of the race towards Kochi would be flagged off on January 19.

The closing ceremony is scheduled here on January 23.

UNI ARC AJ RAR GC2021