Sailing Navy Cup 2024: 66 sailors at iconic Galle Face Sea

Ladies College Sailing Team (from left): Tarini de Silva, Naadya Tranchell, Kyoshi Samarakkodi, Kyasha Samarakkodi, Taalya Tranchell, Sohanya de Mel, McKaella Karunaratne (not in pic)

Royal College Sailing Team (from left): Luqmaan Aneeq, Yusef Hazari, Omar Hazari (Vice Captain), V. Sathsaruban (Master in Charge), M.A.M. Riyaz (Assistant Principal and Senior Games Master), Aduda Silva (Captain), Binal Perera, and Kevaan de Costa

Navy Sailing Team

The Navy Cup 2024 held as a tribute to the late Admiral Clancy Fernando, was staged on 26 and 27 April on the seas across from the iconic Galle Face. 

Fifty-four boats from six boat classes – Single-Handed boats – the Optimist and ILCA (ILCA 4, 6 and 7), Double-Handed boats the GP 14 and Enterprise) and the Wind Surfers sailed on the waters with 66 enthusiastic sailors from 10 Clubs taking part. 

The participating clubs were the Sri Lankan Navy, Ladies College Colombo, S. Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia, Royal College Colombo, Methodist College, Royal Colombo Yacht Club (RCYC), Ceylon Motor Yacht Club (CMYC), Future Fibers, Ruhunu Sailing Club, Bentota Wind Surfing Club and North Sail school club from the Northern Province, the latter, participating for the first time.

In the medals standing, Navy was placed First with Ladies College Colombo taking Second place and Royal College emerging Third. Royal College dominated the single-handed boat class known as the ‘Optimist Class’ for youth under 15, with Ladies College dominating the ILCA 4 and 6 single-handed class of boat. The Navy dominated the double-handed boat classes of GP14 and Enterprise.

The Chief Guest for the awards ceremony was Chief-of-Staff and National Security Advisor to the President, Sagala Ratnayake. The wife of the late Admiral Clancy Fernando, Monika Fernando and family, the Chief-of-Staff of the Navy, Rear Admiral Pradeep Ratnayake along with the Director General, officers from the Sri Lanka Navy Sailing Club, officials of the other clubs, sailors, sponsors and well-wishers of the contestants were also present on this occasion.  

It was two memorable days of sailing for the sailors, now having the wonderful opportunity to sail in Colombo on the seas at Galle Face Colombo.