Russia win sailing championship

KARACHI: Russia defeated Pakistan 3-1 in the final of the 49th CISM World Military Sailing Championship which concluded here at the open sea at Marina Club on Tuesday.

After losing the first race, Pakistan’s crew fought back smartly to level the final of the J-80 keel boat sailing competition 1-1. But Russia came out differently on Tuesday. They went on to win the next two races to seal a comfortable triumph in the end.

In the semi-finals, Pakistan had beaten Norway 3-0 and Russia had defeated Ukraine 3-1.

The Russian crew comprised Maxim Semerkhanov, Denis Gribanov, Pavel Sozykin, Boris Kucherenko, Ozana Sorokina.

Pakistan team had the services of Najeebullah Khan, Qasim Abbas, Khalid Hussain, Rehmanullah and Tariq Ali.

Norway, who had topped the round robin league stage with six wins out of eight they sailed in, had to be content with the third position as they beat Ukraine 2-1 in the petit final.

Bahrain, Poland, Finland, Qatar and Netherland were the other participants. Palestine were present as observer.