CHENNAI: The Optimist Class boys provided India a high point at the SDAT ASAF International Youth Sailing Championship 2026 and the 11th India International Regatta (IIR), with Krishna Venkitachalam of the Royal Madras Yacht Club clinching the title after a week of intense racing off the coast in Chennai.
The regatta concluded in dramatic fashion as the strongest winds of the week swept across the racecourse on the final day. Gusts exceeding 25 knots and rough sea conditions pushed sailors and race officials to their limits. Multiple capsizes were reported across fleets, and while one race was successfully completed, two others had to be abandoned shortly after the start due to safety concerns, as the elements proved unforgiving.
Despite the curtailed final-day schedule, IIR 2026 ended on a positive note, with ten high-quality races completed over the course of the championship. The event tested the skill, endurance and tactical awareness of young sailors from across the region and beyond. A built-in spare day in the programme allowed teams a brief respite, offering them an opportunity to explore Chennai after an intense week on the water.
In the Optimist Boys fleet, Venkitachalam topped the standings, followed by Khairulilzani Bin Mohd Afendy of Malaysia in second place and Ravi Kumar Benneollu of Telangana Sailing Association in third. In the Optimist Girls category, Ireland’s Philippa Aisling Cox Arthurs claimed victory, ahead of Shringhari Roy of India and Lilly Sheridan of Ireland. The ILCA 4 Girls podium was an all-India affair, led by Aastha Pandey, with Tulsi Patle and Mahi Verma completing the sweep for NSS Bhopal.