In the YAI Senior Nationals ( Sailing ) 2021, Goa's Pearl Colvalcar won the silver medal in the Laser Radial category. Pearl, 15, had a great performance beating experienced competitors.
Netra Kumanan from Tamil Nadu won the gold medal at the event in Mumbai. She was part of India's Sailing contingent in the Tokyo Olympics.
Pearl was the youngest contestant in a group full of experienced sailors. Winning a silver medal in the National Senior Sailing, Pearl now has the opportunity to represent India in next year's Asian Sailing Championships. Pearl has also won the Prime Minister's National Children's Award in 2020.
Goa’s Dayne Coelho also won a silver medal at the National Senior Sailing Championships in the RS: X category. The results of this event are will play a key role in the selection for next year's Asian Games. The first two sailors will be selected in the Indian squad for next year's Asian Sailing Championships.
He and his sister Katya Coelho have previously represented India at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta.
Dayne was promised a Rs 30 lakh grant under the Goa Government's 'Excellence in Sports at International Level' scheme. Dayne is awaiting the first instalment of the grant so that he can begin preparations for the upcoming Paris Olympics, according to the Goa Yachting Association.