SIX SRI LANKAN NATIONAL OPTIMIST SAILORS HEAD TO MYANMAR

The IODA Asian and Oceanian Sailing Championship 2018, an international sailing championship for Optimist boats is being hosted in Ngwe Saung, Myanmar from November 10-17, 2018. This is an internationally recognised event with 130 participants from 20 countries, including the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and countries from the Asian region.

The Yachting Association of Sri Lanka under The Ministry of Sports, with the approval of the Ministry of Education, selected a six-member team of exceptionally talented junior sailors, aged 15 and under, after selection trials were held at the Bolgoda Lake. These enthusiastic youngsters will be representing Sri Lanka in Myanmar. This regatta held annually by the International Optimist Dinghy Association (IODA), the International

governing body for Optimist Sailing in the World, is the most popular youth class sailing dinghy.

IODA is an international body that groups together national Optimist Associations involved

in sailing in the countries they are present. The Optimist was designed by Clark Mills in 1947 in Clearwater, Florida, USA and the International Optimist Dinghy Association was founded in 1965.

Sarath Kuragama, COO, Yachting Association of Sri Lanka said, “The sport of Sailing has uncovered hidden talents of our local sailors who have shown immense potential being able to compete with the international community, while continuously improving their skills with the guidance of national coach W. P. K. Janaka, the support of the Sri Lankan Navy and the additional support of the school coaches Nadine de Rosairo and Devin Goonewardene. Special mention should go to Jeremy Bolling and Lalin Jirasinha for their invaluable guidance.” He went on to say that they are proud to be chosen to host the IODA Asian and Oceanian Championship in Sri Lanka in 2020, which is due to be held in Passikudah.

The team comprises of the Nanayakkara brothers, Niveyn and Dhanika, the siblings Jehan and Tarini de Silva, Sahanya Wewita and Anuka Samaraweera.

The IODA Optimist Sailing Championship Team (L-R): Dhanika Nanayakkara (S. Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia), Anuka Samaraweera (Royal College, Colombo), Niveyn Nanayakkara (S. Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia), W P K Janaka (Coach), Jehan de Silva (S. Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia), Sahanya Wewita (Royal College, Colombo) and Tarini de Silva (Ladies’ College, Colombo)

Brothers Dhanika and Niveyn Nanayakkara