The use of boats and ships can be traced back to the time when man discovered
wind power. The use of sails to propel boats has been in vogue for over thousands of
years. The earliest use of a yacht for pleasure sailing dates back to the Egyptian queen
Cleopatra, who cruised in her yachts on the 'big blue Nile' during her free moments. The
yachts are also associated with English monarchs. Queen Elizabeth in 1588 was the proud
possessor of a pleasure ship called "Yacht" while King Charles II owned a
25?tonne yacht called "Jamie".
Yachting, in its modern form, however originated in 17th Century Holland, where it became
a necessity as a means of transport along the country's lengthy, waterways. The first
international rules for yachting as a sport were framed in 1904 and the International
Yachting Federation formed in 1907. Though yachting became an Olympic sport in 1900, the
rules were completely revised in 1964 by the international body. The sport made its debut
in the Asian Games in Bangkok in 1970 and became a regular feature of the Asian Games
movement from the 1978 Asian Games, again in Bangkok. Though not a popular mass sport in
India, the steps to form a yachting association at the national level were taken at a
get?together of 19 like?minded persons at the College of Military Engineering, Kirkee,
Pune on 13 September 1959. Represented by six clubs, the promoters decided on the title of
Yachting Association of India, which was born on 15 May 1960 with the approval of the
draft 'Constitution'. Sardar Surjit Singh Ma jithia was unanimously elected the first
president and K.O. Stiffle as the first honorary secretary. Subsequently more clubs joined
the association.
With eight clubs participating, the first sailing regatta was held in 1960 at the
Khadakwasla Lake in Pune. With the introduction of new classes of boats, the nationals
have now become an annual feature under each category.
India's first international exposure was the participation in the Southern Asia Yachting
Regatta held at Trincomalee in Sri Lanka in 1970. Participating in the Asian Games in
1970, the Indian pair of Soli Contractor and Afsar Hussain won the bronze medal (the
country's first ever medal abroad) in the 'Enterprise class'.
1971 saw another landmark in India's yachting history with the formation of the Indian
National Cadet Class Association with a view to tapping the talent of young yachtsmen. A
new era in the history of Indian yachting was heralded with the participation in the 1972
Olympic Games. Soli Contractor, Mogul, Basith, V.P. Singh and Oberoi represented India in
the Flying Dutchman and Finn class.
In 1975, India took the initiative for the formation of the Asian Yachting Federation and
India's Lt. Gen. Das was elected the first chairman of the Federation. Again in 1987,
India was the main force in forming the Commonwealth Yachting Federation and India had the
privilege of hosting the First Commonwealth Championships at Bombay.
In the 1978 Asian Games, India earned its first silver medal through S.K. Mongia and D.
Kumar in the 'Enterprise class'. This was followed up with a bronze in the World
Enterprise championships in 1981. The same year India took a lion's share of the medals in
the Asian Yachting Championships held at Bombay.
F. Tarapore and D.Z. Karanjia made history in the 1982 Asian Games yachting events by
winning the gold medal in the 'Fireball class'. Though most events of the 1982 the Asian
Games were held in New Delhi, the yachting and rowing events were held in Bombay.
With a silver and a bronze also in that Asiad, the Indian yachtsmen set their sails on the
Olympic Games. Tarapore and Bhandari opted for the 470 class with this in view and
immediately reaped success in the form of silver medals in the 1983 Asian Yachting
Championships and 1986 Asian Games. India has also a been participating in the Olympic
Games in the 470 class since the 1984 Olympiad.
India also hosted the International Cadet Class World Championships at Bombay in 1978 with
Farokh Tarapore and Sanjay Rawell winning bronze medals. India's moment of glory in the
cadet class was during the 22nd International Cadet Class World Championships held again
at Bombay during 1988. Cyrus Cama and Amish Ved claimed the gold with Nikhil Ved and
Kapila bagging the bronze.
1989 saw another golden moment in Indian yachting with Kudroli and Patel bagging the gold
and becoming the new Asian champions in the 'Enterprise class' in the Asian Yachting
Championships at Beijing, China. F. Tarapore and Cyrus Cama won a silver in the 470 class
in the same meet.
Apart from the above achievements, the Yachting Association of India has been in the
forefront of encouraging various ocean sailing voyages. The major trophies of the
association are: The 'Admiral Kohli Trophy' awarded to individuals for their contribution
to the sport; the 'Yachtsmen of the Year Trophy' awarded to the yachtsmen with the most
outstanding performance in a year, presented by Admiral R.A. Tahliani and the 'Most
promising
Yachtsmen of the Year Trophy', presented by Admiral J.C. Nadkarni. |