Hyderabad, July 17: Defending champion Upamanyu Dutta emerged the winner of the Optimist class of the Monsoon Regatta sailing championship being held at Hussainsagar in Hyderabad on Saturday.
With an unbeatable penalty score of 17 points, Upamanyu need not sail the last race and is declared on the basis of the previous races. Zephra Currimbhoy, who displayed spectacular skills is placed overall second despite finishing 7th and 10th in two races.
However, her position will only be decided in Sunday’s last and final race as she is in close contention with K.C. Ganapathy and Ekta Yadav who is currently ranked 3rd and 4th with a discard.
In the match racing category, Nitin Mongia and R. Mahesh who are in the lead will fight it out for this year’s title. Ayesha Lobo pipped Taramati Mativade to reach the match racing semifinals.
But Ayesha and crew Uthara Iyer, Alekhya Sudam and Hema Mehta were twice beaten by Nitin Mongia. Gulshan Chunekar, who has substituted for Aashim Mongia will compete with Ayesha for the third spot.