The Yachting Association of India is holding ten-day regatta commencing today, 06 Apr 14, at Rushikonda beach, for selection of the team for the Asian Games Sailing competition scheduled to be held in S Korea from 20 Sep to 04 Oct 2014. The event will witness participation by more than 130 sailors in 14 different classes of boats. Over thirty additional members comprising international judges, race officers and measurers invited by the YAI will ensure smooth conduct and fair selection. The Selection Regatta is being organised under the aegis of the Headquarters, Eastern Naval Command of the Indian Navy, which is providing the requisite administrative support for managing the Racing area and also for providing rescue support.

The selections are being held at the Rushikonda beach from 06 to 16 Apr, as the very testing conditions, wind shifts and strong current in the race area here are akin to those likely to be faced by the National team at Inchon, S Korea, which is to be the venue for the Competition. The event being conducted on a trapezoid race course will be witnessed by Peter David Conway, the Chief National Coach and members of the selection committee of the YAI. The participating teams include those from Army Yachting Node, Chennai Sailing Academy and the Indian Naval Watermanship Training Centre (INWTC) and the practice for the regatta commenced a month ago.

Formally constituted on 15 May 1960 and registered on 22 December 1964 at Calcutta, West Bengal, the YAI is affiliated to the International Sailing Federation (ISAF), which is recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the governing authority for sailing worldwide. The YAI is also officially recognised by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India as the governing authority for sailing, windsurfing, motor boating, powerboat racing and personal watercraft, at sea and on inland waters in India.