MIMR 2009	MIMR 2009	MIMR 2009	MIMR 2009
MIMR 2009	MIMR 2009	MIMR 2009	MIMR 2009

A day of great excitement, the finals of the ISS MIMR `09 has concluded. And the winner is an Indian team; the runner-up another Indian team. And chasing an international team for the bronze was yet another Indian team.

Commander Mahesh wins again, and this time around it was on home turf against 7 international teams and five national teams. “It’s great to win in Bombay!” yelled the ecstatic team captain, adding, “especially an international event in Bombay.” After a great deal of elimination rounds, the Final round was fought violently between the wo Arjuna Awardees and world Champions Commander Mahesh and Farokh Tarapore. “It feels superb to win against Farokh,” says Mahesh.

Although in the grade three event which took place just before the ISS MIMR`09 Tarapore stood victorious, this time around the world seeded 40, Commander Mahesh and his crew of Rajesh Dhulaji, Neeraj Sharma and P.S. Rao, swung their boat to catch the slightest of breeze to the finish. The team won three matches out of five against Farokh Tarapore’s team to clinch the Gold.

Alhtough Tarapore fekt that these were his best fought matches of this event, he felt that it it was fought fairly and the better man won. “It’s not that he got lucky. We both sailed well today, it’s just that he sailed better. In a match, someone has to lose and someone has to win,” said the worn out skipper along with his crew of Balraj Yadav, Atool Sinha and S.S. Yadav.

Winning the bronze medal stands the French team skippered by Francois Morvan and crewed by Rodrigue Cabaz, Nicolas Dore and Jeremie Raymond. This morning they lost their first match against Nitin Mongia’s team when they crossed the start line too soon to avoid crashing into the committee boat. “In the morning the winds were too shifty, strong winds but we couldn’t tell where they wanted to come from, but this afternoon the winds were stable and predictable, making it easier for us,” says Cabaz. The team went on to win the next two matches staright against Mongia’s team.

Arjuna awardee and world champion Nitin Mongia came in with a very close fourth this year with his crew Yuvraj Singh, Samal Pradhan, G. Randhawa. Earlier in the day the semi finals was conducted between the four team and Commander Mahesh’s and Farokh Tarapore’s teams made it to the finals. A best of five was carried out and the winner of three matches wins the Gold. A petite finals was held for the Bronze medal between the French and Nitin Mongia through a best of three where two matches had to be won by a team for them to come in third position.

This year’s event organized by Match Racing Association of India, has automatically become an heavyweight with its large and esteemed group of sponsors. ISS Facility Services which has a presence in 52 countries world-wide is the principal sponsor for the event. The co sponsors for the event shall be Good Night Naturals. The event is partnered by West Coast Marine Yacht Services, Z3 from Zodiac and H2O Water-sports Complex. Trident, Nariman Point, Mumbai is the Hospitality Partner for the event. Sportzpower is the online media and marketing partner. BIG 92.7 FM is the Radio Partner and Asia Pacific Boating, the Magazine Partner.