In final: Pakistan’s smooth sailing comes to an end

Experienced Russians finally halt home team’s fairy-tale run

KARACHI: Pakistan sailing team finished as the runners-up of the 49th CISM World Military Sailing Championship after losing the final 3-1 to Russia at Marina Club on Karachi yesterday.

The final day of play started with the tie level at 1-1, but the experienced Russian team pulled away immediately, winning two straight matches with 10 and 30 seconds leads respectively to end the home team’s giant-killing streak.

Pakistan had thrice hosted the championship but never went past the quarter-finals until this time. And Pakistan Sailing Federation (PSF) advisor Captain (retd) Abdur Rehman Arshad was quick to point out the improvement made by the home time.



“We were never able to reach this position. Making the finals and defeating all the Olympic teams is a great achievement,” Arshad told The Express Tribune. “Even Russia, who were a part of the last Olympics, were given a tough time by Pakistan on the third day.”

Russian player Boris Kucherenko was also left impressed by how far Pakistani sailors have come.



“We were not expecting this level of performance by Pakistan. With the way they sailed, we were not sure if we will win the championship, but we used our tried-and-tested techniques, which led us to victory,” he said.

Kucherenko further said that he will take back home fond memories of Pakistan and urged other countries to partake in future editions of the championship.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 2^nd, 2016.   

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