WNC Golden Jubilee Maiden Ocean Sailing race flagged off

A maiden ocean sailing race was flagged off by Vice Admiral Girish Luthra, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command on Saturday from the Gateway of India and Naval Dockyard here.

The race has been organised by the Western Naval Command as part of its Golden Jubilee celebrations.

Seven yachts, including those from the Royal Bombay Yacht Club, Bombay Merchant's Club and the Western Naval Command are participating in this overnight race.

All yachts are larger than 7.5 metres in length with a fixed keel and will race overnight over 85 nautical miles in the open sea, an official release issued here said.

Round One of the race will mark off from Murud Janjira followed by another mark 20 miles into the sea before sailing back to Mumbai.

The yachts will have to navigate through commercial shipping and fishing traffic while racing against their counterparts, it said.