The ‘Commandant’s Cup Sailing Regatta – 2023’ organized for the third time by the Naval and Maritime Academy (NMA), Trincomalee commenced on from 09th to 11th January 2023 under the guidance of the Commandant NMA, Commodore Damian Fernando. The prize awarding ceremony of the competition was held at the Commander Shanthi Bahar Memorial Sailing Club on 11th January 2023, under the patronage of Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera as the chief guest, Commodore AKM Jinadasa (Retired) in attend as the guest of honour. The Commander Eastern Naval Area, Flag rank officers and officers from the Eastern Naval Command, officer under trainees and sailors were at present.
The inaugural ceremony was held on 09th January 2023 with the presence of Commander Eastern Naval Area and Commandant Volunteer Naval Force, Rear Admiral Dammika Kumara as the chief guest at the Commander Shanthi Bahar Memorial Sailing Club.
The Sailing Regatta was held over 03 days and the conduct of the event was well supported by the Yachting Association of Sri Lanka – YASL. The tournament was held under four categories namely ILCA 6 (Lazor Class), Enterprise, Open Champion and Cup Champion and 27 officer under trainees from Naval Academies in China, India, Italy, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka took part.
The event itself will be a testament to the strong camaraderie and sportsmanship that exists between the participating countries. It is sure to be an exciting event and a great opportunity to entice tourists for aquatic sports in the country.
In the ILCA 6 (Lazor Class), Officer Cadet Gianpaolo Gusella of Italy (gold), Officer Cadet Dai Wenbo of China (silver) and Officer Cadet Varad C Haridas of India (bronze) won respective medals for first 03 positions.
In the Enterprise Class, Officer Cadet PPK Reddy and Officer Cadet GY Reddy of India won the gold medal. Its silver medal was won by Officer Cadet Mario Giacummo and Officer Cadet Francesco Maria Gigante of Italy. Meanwhile, Sub Lieutenant VPA Sasanka and Sub Lieutenant WMDAK Rathnayake of Sri Lanka won the bronze medal.
Officer Cadet Mario Giacummo, Officer Cadet Francesco Maria Gigante and Officer Cadet Gianpaolo Gusella of Italy clinched the gold medal in the Open Champion. The event’s silver medal was secured by Officer Cadet PPK Reddy, Officer Cadet GY Reddy and Officer Cadet Varad C Haridas representing India. Its bronze medal was won by Officer Cadet Dai Wenbo of China.
The gold medal in the Cup Champion was secured by Officer Cadet PPK Reddy, Officer Cadet GY Reddy and Officer Cadet Varad C Haridas of India. The silver medal of the event was won by Officer Cadet Chen Lei, Officer Cadet Tian Chen and Officer Cadet Dai Wenbo of China. In the meantime, Sub Lieutenant VPA Sasanka, Sub Lieutenant WMDAK Rathnayake and Sub Lieutenant AHGC De Silva of Sri Lanka won the bronze medal.
