Mumbai Sailors Shine At 2026 Open Skiff World Championship

The Royal Bombay Yacht Club's Junior Sailing Programme has made India proud with its outstanding performance at the 2026 Open Skiff World Championship in Calasetta, Sardinia.

Eight young sailors from the programme participated in the championship, which was held from 25 to 31 July. The event brought together 166 sailors from 13 nations, competing in the Under-17 Gold and Silver Fleets and the Under-13 Fleet.

The RBYC contingent recorded several notable results, with Kumar Gururaja Bhat finishing 10th, Ynsh Bhagchandka finishing 14th, and Shayaan Jashnani finishing 28th in their respective categories. Deeyan secured an impressive third place in the Silver Fleet, while Syna joined him in the top ten. Kaavya completed a demanding international series with determination.

In the Under-13 competition, Kumar earned an outstanding top-ten finish, closely followed by Ynsh in 14th and Shayaan in 28th. However, the championship's standout RBYC performance came from 14-year-old Zahaan Hemrajani, whose regatta developed into an extraordinary story of resilience and character.

On the opening day, a structural crack developed in Zahaan's hull, causing the boat to take on an estimated 30–35 litres of water during each race. Despite sailing with severely compromised equipment, he persevered to finishes of 28th, 36th, and 30th. As the damage affected his own boat rather than chartered equipment, redress was not available.

The setback was particularly difficult after a year of unwavering preparation. Zahaan had not missed a training session, had undertaken parkour conditioning three times a week, and had made significant personal sacrifices in pursuit of his ambition to contend for a podium place. Deeply disappointed after the opening day, he took time to process what had happened before making a conscious decision to reset mentally and return to the championship ready to fight.

Subsequent discussions with the International Open Skiff Class Association and manufacturer TAHE indicated that the hull came from a 2024 production batch associated with structural concerns. In an exceptional gesture of sportsmanship, the Polish team loaned Zahaan a second-hand hull from Day 2 onwards.

With his immediate objective reduced to reaching the top 53 and qualifying for the Gold Fleet, he responded with finishes of sixth, second, and sixth that day. Zahaan continued his climb through the fleet and ultimately finished eighth overall in the Under-17 competition, which comprised 106 sailors across the Gold and Silver Fleets. His championship series included a race victory and two second-place finishes.

The Royal Bombay Yacht Club's Junior Sailing Programme has been making waves in the sailing community with its talented young sailors. The programme provides training and coaching to young sailors, helping them develop their skills and compete at the national and international levels.

The 2026 Open Skiff World Championship was a significant event for the programme, as it provided an opportunity for the young sailors to compete against the best in the world. The experience and exposure gained by the sailors will undoubtedly help them in their future sailing careers.

The performance of the RBYC sailors at the championship is a testament to the programme's success and the dedication of the young sailors. It is a proud moment for the Royal Bombay Yacht Club and the Indian sailing community, and it highlights the potential of Indian sailors to compete at the highest level.

In conclusion, the Royal Bombay Yacht Club's Junior Sailing Programme has made a significant impact on the sailing community, and its young sailors have shown tremendous potential and talent. The programme's success is a result of the hard work and dedication of the sailors, coaches, and staff, and it is an inspiration to young sailors across the country.