Berhampur: For 28-year-old Manaswini Maharana of Odisha, it has been a remarkable ride from budding talent to an accomplished one in the sport of sailing.
Regarded as the ‘Surfing Queen of India’, Manaswini bagged Gold in the Women Wind Surfing RSX Class and secured first position in national ranking at the YAI Multi-Class Sailing Championship held in Mumbai recently. In Asian Games selection trial at Goa, organised by Yachting Association of India in April, she secured second position in national ranking.
Manaswini undertook training under internationally acclaimed scuba diver Sabir Bux at Silver City Boat Club, Cuttack. She learnt the technical know-how, training drills, sail trimming and even down to fitness exercises related to windsurfing. She learned to manure on the windsurfing board.
“Manaswini has a bright future in windsurfing. Among 28 women participants in the championship held in Mumbai, she was the best and even surprised 90 plus male participants in the championship”, said Sabir Bux.
“The windsurfing board costs Rs 9.5 lakh. But I brought one windsurfing board on rent from Singapore as I cannot afford to buy one,” said Manaswini.
Belonging to Panibandha village in Humma of Ganjam district, Manaswini got married in 2018 and now stays at Konark with her husband and 4-year-old daughter. “I was unable to practise due to marriage and COVID situation. But I resumed practice in April 2020 and participated in the events,” she said.
Manaswini is hopeful of representing India in international championships. “I want to become the best in Asia,” she said.
According to her, sailing is not only a sport but also a science. “Applying navigational skills, handling ocean currents, analysing the wind and using the wind shifts efficiently are the real strength in this sport,” she said.
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