Derrick makes clean sweep on first day of National Board Sailing

Panaji, May 15 (UNI) Derrick Menezes made a clean sweep on the first day of the National Board Sailing Championship that started off at the Zuari Vaingunim beach today.

The first race of the day in windsurfing, started with Derrick getting off to a perfect start, followed closely by Remy Fernandes, Sarvanan and Prakash. However, Derrick managed to move ahead and built his lead gradually with each leg of the race, to ultimately win the first race with a comfortable lead of more than 200 mts. Sarvanan and Remy were involved in a close battle with Prakash. However, Remy managed to finish in the second position.

The second race, however, saw Major Tripathi getting off to a good start and led the fleet followed by Remy, Sarvanan, Derrick and Donald. However, Derrick and Remy got better of Tripathi on the beach and took the lead by the first windward mark, followed closely by Donald and Sarvanan. Derrick then continued to extend his lead, with Remy following in a second position. Donald, who was in the third position, however, capsized in the leeward mark to allow Sarvanan and Tripathi to go past him. Derrick eventually won the second race also comfortably followed by Remy Fernandes and Ghanashyam.

The third race was sailed in tougher conditions with wind speed of 16 knots and seaswell of about 1-1/2 mts. Once again Tripathi got off to a flying start with Derrick, Remy, Sarvanan and Prakash on his heels. Tripathi, however, made a tactical error by sailing towards the starboard side of the coast. Derrick, Remy and all others who sailed to the portside of the coast got better winds, which helped them gain a substantial lead. By the first windward mark, Derrick had taken the lead followed closely by Remy, Ghanashayam and Prakash. Remy tried hard to put the pressure on Derrick, in the meanwhile, Ghanashyam and Prakash managed to inch their way up and reduce the gap with Derrick. On the last leg of the race, Ghanashyam and Prakash overtook a tired Remy. Derrick, however, managed to hold off the challenge from Ghanashyam to win the last race by just 3 seconds. Ghanashyam (Army Yachting Node) took the second place followed closely by Prakash.

Derrick Menezes (46) showed that he still has the required fitness, stamina, strength and perseverance to beat sailors half his age in three grueling races.

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