Prayag, Ayesha unlikely winners in first two National Optimist races

Mumbai, May 1 (UNI) Prayag Dave of Sea Cadet Corps (SCC) and Ayesha Lobo of Colaba Sailing Club (CSC) upset the favorites to win the first two races of the National Optimist Coastal Championship 2006 being sailed in the waters of the Mumbai Harbour, off Pilot Bunder, Colaba, here, today.

Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Sunk Rock Lighthouse, the championship has attracted 60 young sailors from seven clubs all over the country, of which 45 are in the main fleet and 15 beginners in the regatta fleet. All the entrants are children the under the age of 15.

The race one saw Pratik Angre (SCC) get away to a fine start. He was the first to round the windward mark, but was overtaken on the second beat by teammate Prayag Dave, who held his lead till the end, fending off a spirited challenge by Angre and Krish Makhija of Royal Bombay Yacht Club (RBYC), the latter recovering from fifth place at the second windward rounding. Alok Dhangare (SCC) and Gaurav Pikale (CSC) were fourth and fifth respectively.

Race two saw Viraf Hirjee (RBYC) get off to a dream start, but he was pipped in a tacking duel at the windward mark by Alok Dhangare (SCC). However, it was Ayesha Lobo (CSC) lying third at this stage, who overtook Hirjee on the second beat and then went on to overtake Dhangare in a tense last beat to the finish. In the tussle, Dhangare slipped to third place, as he was overtaken by Xerxes Bamboat (RBYC) almost on the line. Makhija, who was following close on their heels, slipped into a lull at the finish line and could only finish sixth, behind Viraf Hirjee (RBYC) and Amol Singh of Corps of Engineering Sailing Club (CESC), Pune.

Prayag Dave of the Sea Cadet Corps who triumphed in the first race was thrilled with his performance and vowed to continue that in the races to come in the week. He said he wanted to concentrate more on his opponents to make sure they did not catch him. Even though he loves the sport he wants to continue it only as a hobby, he added Ayesha Lobo admitted she did not expect to win but tried her best. Her mother who watched from ashore was thrilled with her performance. Ayesha who is representing the Colaba Sailing Club at the event, wants to continue in the sport she loves and hopes to move into the category of faster boats as she grows older. The girl who almost gave the sport up was encouraged by her coaches and parents to keep persevering and is now contending for the top spots at national events. She said she wanted to represent the country at international events and was going to do all in her power to win.

Provisional results: Race 1: (1) Prayag Dave (SCC), (2) Pratik Angre (SCC), (3) Krish Makhija (RBYC), (4) Alok Dhangare (SCC), (5) Gaurav Pikale (CSC).

Race 2: (1) Ayesha Lobo (CSC), (2) Xerxes Bamboat (RBYC), (3) Alok Dhangare (SCC), (4) Prayag Dave (SCC), (5) Viraf Heerjee (RBYC).

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