Chennai sailor makes it
to Asian Games

Chennai lad Sandeep Srikanth will be India's only representative in the laser class yachting competition at the 2002 Asian Games, to be held in Busan in September-October.

According to the Royal Madras Yachting Club, Srikkanth earned the right to represent the country by emerging winner in the Yachting Association of India Laser Class selection trials, held at the Naval Sailing Club in Mumbai from August 3 to 7. He edged out his nearest rivals, Arjun Pradipak of Secunderabad and D P Selvam of the Army.

The 21-year-old sailor, who was one of the youngest ever national champions in the Laser Class in 2000, emerged victorious in the first, second, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh races in the selection trials. He was placed second in the third and eighth races respectively.

Sandeep, who had represented India in the Laser Class at the Asian Sailing Championship in 2001 and in the World Sailing Games 2002 at Marseille, in France, made the best use of the difficult monsoon conditions in the selection trials. The first two races were sailed in light shifty conditions and the remaining six races, in strong wind and waves.