PANAJI
Goa’s Keona Rajani and Jyoti Basu from Tamil Nadu are set to defend their National Kiteboarding Championship titles whilst the absence of Goa’s Dayne and Katya Coelho will be felt in the windsurfing class of the Yachting Association of India (YAI), All India Windsurfing and Kiteboarding Championship to start at Montego Bay Resort at Vithaldasvado in Morjim from Thursday.
A total of 42 participants have registered for the championship with five females and three in the youth category that has been introduced for the first time.
“I will be giving it my best shot. Finishing on top is always a good feeling and doing it in Goa is going to be special,” said Keona.
“Dayne and Katya are with the India probables preparing to qualify for the Olympics abroad. Their seedings will not be affected,” stated Captain Jitendra Dixit, secretary of YAI.
“The absence of champions will give others an opportunity to prove their mettle. Hope they capitalise,” stated Satyavir Siwatch, national judge .
The windsurfing class races will start in the morning whilst kiteboard races are scheduled for the afternoon. “We expect the winds to be good through the championship,” stated Kavish from Goa kiteboarders.
