This weekend, Mumbai played host to the first edition of Nautica’s Winter Regatta, the world sailing championship. The three-day affair, hosted by the Royal Bombay Yacht Club, had both Indian and international sailing enthusiasts taking part.

Spearheaded by the Yacht Club of Hyderabad, the Winter Regatta was part of the tri-season championship and was preceded by the Monsoon Regatta, which was held in Hyderabad, and will be followed by the upcoming Summer Regatta in Chennai/Goa in 2015. The race was held across two categories – the Keelboat Nationals and Optimist Championship. A group of young, economically challenged sailors from the Akanksha Foundation, trained to sail shoulder-to-shoulder with affluent sailors by the Sailing School at Chowpatty, Mumbai, also took part. The finals took place on Sunday, followed by the prize distribution ceremony at Royal Bombay Yacht Club.

Not only is this the start of a new chapter in India’s water-sports arena, but also a great way to start a new hobby and let off some steam over the weekend.