CHENNAI: The SDAT ASAF International Youth Sailing Championship 2026 and the 11th India International Regatta was inaugurated at Timber Pond, Chennai Port on Monday, marking the start of a week of international youth sailing hosted by the Tamil Nadu Sailing Association with support from the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu.
The event has brought sailors from India and several countries across Asia and Europe.
At the ceremony, officials highlighted the state’s investment in infrastructure and athlete development, while Rear Admiral Satish Shenai spoke about the Navy’s long association with sailing and its role in building discipline and seamanship among young competitors.
A key moment was the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Tamil Nadu Sailing Association and the Indian Naval Watermanship Training Centre in Chennai, creating a framework for shared facilities, coaching collaboration and long term capacity building.
The championship was declared open by Coast Guard Commander Datwinder Singh Saini, and the Chennai Port Authority reaffirmed its support for maritime sport and youth engagement.
An official practice race followed in winds of 12 to 15 knots, allowing sailors and race officials to assess conditions as competition continues over the coming days across multiple youth classes in Chennai waters on Monday.