Indian sailors hog the limelight
on second day

India cornered the limelight on the second day of the Sandpiper Enterprise World Sailing championships in Bogmalo, Goa, with their sailors bagging the top three positions in the first race and first two places in the second race to level honours with Great Britain.

Reigning World champions Richard Estaugh and Peter Rowley continue to head the overall standings. They, however, finished fifth in the first race and third in the second.

"We have been pretty consistent so far and that is what wins regattas," Richard said, but hastened to add, "tomorrow will be an important day."

The first race was won by Indian pair of Aashim Mongia and R Mahesh, who sailed a blistering first beat, established a commanding lead of six boat lengths at the windward mark and never looked back till the finish.

This pair, which was in a position to challenge Estaugh and Rowley for the overall lead, finished a disappointing 11th in the second race.

"We sailed badly," said Mahesh.

But Aashim said that a wind shift at the start got them off on the wrong track.

It was this same wind shift that propelled Gautam Dutta and Utpal More to lead at the windward mark in the second race, a position they lost on the reach to former World champions Farokh Tarapore and Pushpendra Garg.

Dutta and More, however, pipped the former World champs right at the finish line to win by half a boat length.

"Gautam took the gamble and won," said Tarapore.

Day 1 report:
Britain, India share honours on day one