Sri Lanka Junior team set sail for IODA Asian and Oceanian Championship
The Sri Lanka Junior National Sailing team will head to Oman to compete in one of the most challenging events on the international sailing calendar, the 2025 Optimist Asian and Oceanian Championship. Set to begin next Saturday, 175 top sailors from 26 countries across Asia and Oceania will battle in water in Mussanah Sailing School, Barceló Resort, Oman.
As the sailors gear up for one of the toughest Optimist sailing events, this year’s regatta promises gruelling conditions and fierce competition with top-tier sailors from countries including USA, Singapore, Thailand, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, China, India, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and the UAE.
Pic by Akila Jayawardana
“This event not only showcases the strength and spirit of youth sailing across the region, but also reflects the exceptional hospitality and professionalism of Oman Sail. We look forward to an unforgettable week of competition, camaraderie, and cultural exchange in one of the world’s most inspiring sailing destinations,” Susan Elliot Beatty, the Regatta Secretary of International Optimist Dinghy Association (IODA), the global body behind the Optimist Asian and Oceanian Championship, said ahead of the event.
The nine-member Sri Lanka team selected early this year, has been undergoing training and racing in seas across Sri Lanka – including Port City, Colombo, The Navy Sailing base at Crow Island, Trincomalee and Mirissa as well as the Bolgoda Lake, under the guidance of National Coach Krishan Janaka, ILCA National Coach Roshil Nishantha and former Olympian Lalin Jirasinha.
Competitors will endure six-hour stretches at sea, battling strong winds and navigating unpredictable waters as they compete in both individual and team races. The team include male and female competitors, Laila Hazari of Methodist College, Makealla Karunaratne of Ladies College, Binal Perera, Luqmaan Aneeq and Ruwaneka Rajapaksa, all from Royal College, and Haren Wickramatilleka, Akaine Ubayasiri, Shem Fernando and Dhiren Perera, all from S. Thomas’ College, who have been chosen to represent Sri Lanka.
“The competition just gets tougher every year, and it’s a huge participation this time round with world champions in the mix, but our team has trained hard, and they’re ready to race,” noted Krishan Janaka, the national sailing coach.
Dubbed ‘Chess on Water’ for its combination of strategy and precision, the event demands not only physical endurance but also sharp tactical thinking amidst fierce competition.
“With a high level of international competition, maintaining composure under pressure while chasing medals will be among the sailors’ toughest challenges. But we are certain they will perform well,” said Sarath Kuragama, the Chief Operating Officer of Yachting Association of Sri Lanka (YASL).
The week-long event will kick off on October 25, and will comprise of individual and team racing events. Due to the large number of participants, the sailors will be split into three fleets – gold, silver and blue following the placings after the first day’s racing. This will be the second time Mussanah hosts the event after 2019, and Sri Lanka will host the championship next year.
V. Satsorupan of Royal College, will accompany the team as Manager with Kawshaliya Ubayasri as the Lady Chaperone.
| Sri Lanka Junior Sailing Team: | |
| Laila Hazari (Methodist College), Makealla Karunaratne (Ladies College), Binal Perera (Royal College), Luqmaan Aneeq (Royal College), Ruwaneka Rajapaksa (Royal College), Haren Wickramatilleka (S. Thomas’ College), Akaine Ubayasiri (S. Thomas’ College), Shem Fernando (S. Thomas’ College), Dhiren Perera (S. Thomas’ College) Officials: Krishan Janaka (Coach), V. Satsorupan (Manager), Kawshaliya Ubayasri (Lady Chaperone) |