Intriguing final day ahead

PUNE, JUNE 11: It appears to be anyone's guess as to who will win the 18th National Island Enterprise Championship which enters its concl...

PUNE, JUNE 11: It appears to be anyone8217;s guess as to who will win the 18th National Island Enterprise Championship which enters its concluding day tomorrow at the NDA Peacock Bay.

Just one race remains after today8217;s programme was marred by disqualifications and Did not Start DNS verdicts which cast a haze over the prospects of contestants braving the elements at the bay. However, a keen struggle is expected as sailors brace for what what promises to be a keen finish tomorrow.

Major Gautam Dutta teaming with Nilay Patil of Naval Sailing Club NSC,Mumbai, may just hold the edge. Save disqualification in the second race in which they accumulated 56 penalty points, they have been very consistent till the 5th race. A poor finish in the last race of the day, where they slipped lower than sixth, must have hampered their prospects a bit.

Running the duo close are National champion Nitin Mongia and Smita. Nitin made a sedate start in the race but played safe thereafter. He has one each 8212; win, a second and a third place besides finishing 13th, 10th and 5th in the first three races.

Defending champion Naresh Yadav and SS Chauhan 8212; also NSC 8212; too can stake their claim for the title with 42 points.

Among contenders for top honours Major Gautam Dutta and crew, Murugan Nadar and Vaibhav Sarpotdar must come up with their best in the last race as they are in no position to discard any race with the former already failing to start in the fourth race and the latter being disqualified in the second race held yesterday. That leaves them with no option than to figure in the first three to achieve a respectable standing in the contest.

On the other hand Nitin Mongia, but for the slow start, will hope to do his best in the last race for the coveted title which he missed last year.

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There was nothing that could hinder the charge of the Major Gautam Dutta and Nilay Patil combination in the last race of the day as they sailed to victory from start to finish.

Kicking off from the Pappa the starting point they had some hiccups while heading towards the headland. But once they turned with the winds behind them they had won the race with plenty to spare.

Nitin Mongia came up with his best, alerting the committee behind the leader.

Lt Cmdr Ramchandran Mahesh, who was optimistic of bouncing back into the contention yesterday, finished among the also-rans. After his poor opening day he still seems to to sailing in rough waters, finishing only 6th in the fourth of the day8217;s three races.

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At the moment, however, Naval Sailing Club Mumbai look to be the best bet going by their performance as a team.

Results
Race 4: Major Gautam Dutta amp; Nilay Patil NSC, Mumbai; Nitin Mongia NSC, Mumbai amp; Smita RBYC; Naresh K Yadav amp; S S Chauhan NSC, Mumbai; Amol Rane amp; Azad Saad SCCSA; Riddhi Jani amp; Rahul Kansara SCCSA; Lt Comdre R Mahesh amp; Dhanya Pilo NSC, Mumbai.

Race 5: Nitin Mongia NSC, Mumbai amp; Smita RBYC, Mumbai; Gautam Dutta amp; Nilay Patil NSC, Mumbai; Naresh Yadav amp; S S Chauhan NSC, Mumbai; Amol Rane amp; Azad Saad SCCSA; Nk/Sub R K Singh amp; K Raghu CESC, Pune; Capt S K Kanwar amp; Anil Dass EMESA, Sec8217;bad.

Race 6: Maj Gautam Dutta amp; Nilay Patil NSC, Mumbai; Nitin Mongia NSC, Mumbai amp; Smita RBYC; Capt, Ruben amp; M Sawant CESC, Pune; Maj Sandeep Kapoor amp; Vishaka Kapoor NSC, Mumbai; Nk/Sub R K Singh amp; K Raghu CESC, Pune; Monal Shoroff amp; Girish Rao SCCSA.