By Raju Vernekar
Mumbai, April 13:
The Indian Navy’s 470 Class sailing team achieved overall second position behind Japan amongst the participating Asian countries, in the recently concluded international regatta at Palma, Spain.
The Indian team did its best which boosted their chances of a top medal finish at the upcoming Asian Games scheduled at Hangzhou, China in September 2022. The feat was in keeping with the Nation’s aim of achieving glory in the international sports arena, an Indian Navy statement said.
The 470 class mixed team comprising a young naval sailor Petty Officer RK Sharma and compatriot Uma, participating in an Olympic class event for the first time, finished in the seventh position in the silver fleet in challenging conditions with high winds and bitter cold temperatures.
The 470 class boat named ‘Miracle’ was supported by the Mumbai-based Mazagon Docks and Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL). The support by India’s premier Shipbuilder coupled with encouraging results in a tough international event has boosted the confidence of the Indian sailing team as they prepare to ‘Go for Gold’ at the upcoming Asian Games, the statement added.
Equipped with a spinnaker, trapeze, and a large sail-area-to-weight ratio, the 470 Class boat is designed to plane easily, and good teamwork is necessary to sail it well. Originally the 470 Class boat was designed in 1963 by the Frenchman Andre Cornu as a double-handed mono-hull planing dinghy. Its name comes from the overall length of the boat of 470 cm. The World Sailing International Class boat has been an Olympic class since the 1976 games. At present, it is used for both the men’s two-person and women’s two-person dinghy events at the Olympic Games and is sailed in over 60 nations.