Jhansi Priya Laveti enlivens last day's proceedings; Preethi Kongara bags gold

HYDERABAD: There was high drama on the waters as Jhansi Priya Laveti made an emphatic statement on the final day of the Telangana Sailing Regatta at the Hussain Sagar, here on Friday.


City sailors Preethi Kongara and Lakshmi Nookarathnam , who have sailed consistently in the last three days, looked all set to grab the first two spots in the Sub-Junior category.

However, Lakshmi was given a mighty scare by Jhansi, who took the competition to the wire.

Jhansi won the last race and almost ousted Lakshmi from the second position. Things did not go well with Lakshmi on the final day as she finished a poor 18th position to almost hand over the silver medal to Jhansi, who lost out by just three points.

Jhansi, however, had the satisfaction of claiming the bronze at the expense of Ravali Parandi. Ravali, who had a two point lead over Jhansi, had a disastrous last race as her boat capsized and that ended her hopes of winning the bronze.

Preethi reigned supreme as the sailor won seven out of the 12 races to finish with 16 penalty points. Preethi had a whopping 35-point lead over her nearest rival Lakshmi.

In the boys’ category, Mahesh Gudde of Mahboobnagar claimed the gold with 110 points. He was followed by Ajay Gajji and Karthick Neenavath of Vikarabad with 127 and 139 points respectively.

Sirisha Kerre of Mahboobnagar, who finished seventh overall, won the Most Promising Girl Sailor award as she surprised many by beating experienced sailors. Harshavardhan of Vikarabad was adjudged the Most Promising Boy ailor.

“I have been with the sport of sailing for 50 years and have never seen such outstanding precision performances by girls who seem to have some magical understanding with the wind shifts of Hussain Sagar,” said Lt Gen KS Rao, president of the Telangana Sailing Association, at the closing ceremony.

“Feels great to have some good sailing but the challenge lies ahead at the Monsoon Regatta where the entire national fleet from Bhopal, Bangalore, Chennai and Bombay will be here. The Telangana sailors need to perform then at the end of July for all this to have any meaning,” said coach Suheim Sheikh, who is also president of the Yacht Club of Hyderabad.

Final points tally (overall/girls): 1. Preethi Kongara (16 points), 2. Lakshmi Nookarathnam (51), 3. Jhansi Priya Laveti (54), 4. Ravali Parandi (65), 5. Dharani Laveti (87). Boys: 1. Mahesh Gudde (110), 2. Ajay Gajji (127), 3. Karthick Neenavath (139).