PANAJI: Arjun Motha bagged the all-India kiteboarding championship held at Mandrem Beach in North Goa. He finished at the top position, above the defending champion Varun Narayanan, who had reigned supreme in the previous edition in Tuticorin.
Arjun made a strong comeback to win 5 of the 6 races on the final day and pip former champion Varun for the title.
Arjun sailed his heart out to keep Varun at bay whilst Varun used the strong 15 knot winds to his advantage. Both kiteboard sailors sailed neck to neck and although Varun had better starts in 4 races, Arjun pushed him all the way and over took him in the final leg of the races to take the gun. The two were tied at the end of the 9th race, and in the final tie-breaker race, Arjun shot off to a perfect start, while Varun stumbled at the start.
Arjun held the lead from the start to the end, leaving Varun in his wake. Varun made a valiant effort to catch up, but Arjun held him off to win the race with a lead of barely 10 metres. Meanwhile, Philippe Dartnell made Goans proud by taking the third spot in the men’s category. Local sailor Keona Rajani, the youngest kiteboarder in the championships, captured the women’s crown. Click 👇to watch some glimpses of the exciting event.
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