White sails on the blue water, juxtaposed against the green cover of the Kerala – this is the scene at the eighth edition of Admiral’s Cup Sailing Regatta 2017, which was inaugurated at the at Marakkar Watermanship Training Centre (MWTC) in Kannur on Monday.

The Admiral’s Cup Regatta is one of the world’s biggest military sailing competitive events, conducted by Indian Naval Academy (INA). Due to Cyclone Ochki, the opening ceremony was shifted to MWTC from Ettikulam Bay, which is the inaugural venue for Admiral’s Cup every year.

“The four-day event may be shifted back to sea at the end of the day after considering weather conditions,” said RG Ajith, PRO, Indian Naval Academy.

The eighth edition of the Regatta features 28 teams from different parts of the world, and it is considered as the biggest military sailing event for having the highest number of participating countries.

Each team comprises of two boats totalling 58 participants including 6 female participants. There is a fall in the number of female participants from 10 to 6 when compared to that of last year and none from India. For the first time countries like Russia and Vietnam is participating in the event

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Laser (Radial) class sailing boats are used by the participating teams for the regatta which commenced on December 4.  The 2016 edition of the event was won by Singapore and USA had to settle with runner-up position. 

The ‘Admiral’s Cup’ and the Runners Up Cup are to be awarded to the top two teams in the championship on the basis of the combined performance of both boats. In addition, individual medals will also be awarded in the men’s and women’s category.