Hyderabad, Telangana: It was local girl Jhansi Priya Laveti all the way across the day four of the Monsoon Regatta National Ranking Championship.. Two convincing wins with huge comfortable leads, she led on the third too till Vishvanath of the Navy protested her and she had to do a penalty but yet finished fifth.
“The winds were light to medium and perfect sailing weather and it was heartening to see the kids so deeply competitive“, said Commodore BR Singh the Honorary Secretary General of the Yachting Association of India.
The protest against her yesterday was invalidated and her second position in the race restored taking her flying to the gold and the Monsoon Regatta Trophy and a double whammy with the top girl trophy landing her a bonanza of two trophies and two medals.
“Jhansi sailed as if possessed and had 3 flawless races leaving the entire national fleet trailing in sheer shock watching the performance. Every windshift was taken with a confidence and panache “said her coach Suheim Sheikh.
Jhansi and all the sailors now head into the National Laser Championships soon to start at Hussain Sagar.
This is her last year in the Sub Juniors and this win guarantees her a birth once again in the Indian contingent headed for the Asians at Thailand in November.
It seems to be girl power all the way with 4 of the top five girls and three of them from Hyderabad Jhansi, Vaishnavi and Ravali all from the Yacht Club of Hyderabad and Divayanshi Mishra of NSS Bhopal who displayed a consistent good performance across the Monsoon Regatta.
Jhansi plans to move to either an Olympic Class of boats called the 470 or the Laser Class for the 2022 Asian Games.
Eklavya Batham of Bhopal came in second place but still has to sail one more race tomorrow to retain his silver while Jhansi is guaranteed the gold even if she gives the 12th race a miss.
Points Tally at the end of 11 races
Jhansi Priya Laveti – 23
Eklavya Batham – 32
Vaushnavi Veeravsmsham – 47
Divyanshi Mishra – 50
Ravali Parandi – 56
