Ashim Mongia, Mahesh claim second position

Back in Mumbai, the pair admitted the championship went awry from the third to the sixth race. They finished ninth in the third and eighth in the fourth. But they were still in contention, and touchwood, the fifth race started promisingly for them.

“We had a good lead going into the first reach of the second triangle. By the time we rounded off the gybe mark, our next competitor was two minutes behind us,” says Mongia.

“Then the wind died completly and the race was abandoned. If the race was gone through, we would have won and made a strong comeback in the championships,” says Mongia ruefully. In the re-race held on the finalday, Mongia-Mahesh finished fourth.

Another disaster was awaiting them in the sixth race. Mahesh explains, “the race started with winds only up to 3-4 knots. Then the wind picked up and by the time the race got over, it was blowing at 20 knots. Not just that, there was a 90% shift in the direction of the winds.”

They finished sixth in that race, virtually sending their chances of atitle finish beyond reach.

But, despite the silver medal, Mongia-Mahesh expressed their happiness. “We cannot complain.” Both were unanimous the chartered boat they were forced to take to the championship was not the best thing to happen.

“We had participated in the South African National championships prior to the Worlds. We had all kind of breakage problems and by the time the boat was set we could participate in only two races, which we won,” said Mongia.

“With a little bit of luck we could have won the World Championships. Usually in Cape Town, the winds are strong. But for the small period of five days…”rued Mahesh.

Mongia and Mahesh came together for the trials of the World Championships and after their first major international tournament, they plan to retain their partnership for some more time. “Mahesh is a good crew,” said Mongia. Mahesh felt his workload was much less. “In a Laser class, I am the helm, the crew everything. With Enterprise class, you have somebody along and the decisions are always taken in consultations with each other.”