Meet Alekya Condoo, 16YO Hyderabadi girl who won gold in 420 class Sailing Competition
A student of the Hyderabad Public School, Ramanthapur, Alekhya is preparing for the NEET. “People often ask me how I manage between my studies and sailing activities, I think it’s never been difficult for me. My parents and teachers have always supported me,” Alekya says.
By Amrutha Kosuru Published on 17 Aug 2022 9:30 AM GMT
A 16-year-old girl from Hyderabad has won a gold medal in the 420 class Sailing Competition at YAI Youth Multi Class Sailing & Kiteboard Championship 2022.
National Ranking Event was held at Krishnarajsagar Dam on the Cauvery River in Mandya Karnataka from August 7 to 13. Alekya Condoo stood first and won gold in the event.
A student of the Hyderabad Public School, Ramanthapur, Alekhya is preparing for the NEET. "People often ask me how I manage between my studies and sailing activities, I think it's never been difficult for me. My parents and teachers have always supported me," Alekya says.
In fact, she started sailing as a hobby in 2016. It happened when she went on a camp with the Secunderabad Sailing Club and there was no looking back. "The moment the boat sailed into Hussain Sagar, I loved it," Alekya recalls.
The 420 class competition was organized by Trishna Sailing Club, Madras Sappers, and General Thimayya National Academy of Adventure under the Aegis of Yachting Association of India
"I know I can do both and I want to as well," she says,
The venue for the event was the pristine waters of the Cauvery with challenging conditions giving the sailors the opportunity to showcase their talents. The wind speed was 25 knots (46 kmph) gusting to 30 knots with large waves and intermittent rains, sunny and cloudy skies. There were a total of 12 races in each class over 4 days.
"The water was much cleaner. It is an unforgettable experience," Alekya says.
Alekya represented the Secunderabad Sailing Club and partnered with Kartik Chakali of the Navy Boys Sailing School (Goa) both hailing from Telangana. They were coached by Brijraj Verma of the Indian Navy Watermanship Training Centre (INWTC), Mumbai, who has won numerous awards and represented India at the International Sailing Championships.
Alekya was introduced to Sailing by her mentor and coach Arjun Pradipak who represented India at the Asian games. Alekya has been sailing since 2016 and has sailed the Optimist, Laser, and is now sailing the 420 class, a double-hander.
The 420 class is the most popular class for competitive collegiate sailing across Europe and the US and is now getting popular in India. It is a stepping stone to the larger 470 class events in the Asian games and Olympic games. Alekya hopes to represent India at the world's 420 class championship.
