India women’s sailing team looking to prove a point at World Championship in Spain
The six-woman Indian sailing team are looking to promote the sport in India as they gear up to participate in the World Championship in Spain which starts in July. The team comprising of Yashna Vummidi, Aishwarya Nedunchezhiyan, Tulsi Movva, Tejashree and Alekhya Maharaju will be led by Rohini Rau.
India is set to have its first all-woman sailing team participating in the World Championship as a team of six lady sailors - Rohini Rau, Yashna Vummidi, Aishwarya Nedunchezhiyan, Tulsi Movva and A Tejashree (from Chennai) and Alekhya Maharaju (Hyderabad) gear up to represent the nation on the international stage for the first time.
The all-woman sailing team will participate at the World Championships in Spain later this year in the J/80 category.
Rohini Rau, who is leading an online campaign to raise funds for their participation in the event, is of the opinion that this will serve as an important example for female sailors across the country and help promote the sport as well.
“Sailing is one of the oldest sports in the Olympic Games, but not many know of it in India. No Indian woman has qualified for the Olympic Games in sailing, and this event could change the way the sport is perceived in the country, and also usher in funds for future championships.
“Our participation in the championship will encourage more people in the country to take it up,” says Rohini. It is also an eco-friendly sport that could channelise our focus towards the conversation of our oceans and marine life,” Rohini said in a recent interview with TOI.
All six women have sailed and won laurels nationally and internationally and have been training for three weeks in Chennai.