Sir Robin in India
visits the RMSC, the RBYC & Hodi Innovations
We just concluded a whirlwind trip across 3 states in 3 weeks including a sail from Goa to Bombay on Antara, with Sir Robin Knox-Johnston. He is one hell of a youthful 85 year old!
Sir Robin’s trip to India was the brain wave of Capt Arvind Sharma, founder of the Royal Mysore Sailing Club (RMSC). It all started with his desire to create a series on documentaries featuring various people from the world of sailing. So when he started on Sagarparikrama, he quickly realised that the story cannot begin without including Sir Robin, and of course, the late Adm Awati. A series of emails later, voila, Sir Robin was on his way to the RMSC!
The trip commenced with a glorious weekend in Mysore: a full house of sailing enthusiasts, and a few of our Antara crew, eager to hear Sir Robin, a visit to the Admiral Manohar Awati Centre for Ocean Sailing (AMACOS), a sail on the beautiful Kaveri and an insightful video with Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Capt Dilip Donde and Cdr Abhilash Tomy.
The following weekend, we stopped in Goa for Sir Robin to meet with Ratnakar Dandekar and his son Prathamesh. Typical of him, he has not forgotten the role Ratnakar played in building the boat, INSV Mhadei, that got both our solo circumnavigators safely home.
When Sir Robin was with British Steam India Navigation, he sailed often along the Indian Coast, especially near Bombay. This time, nearly 60 years since, Team Antara had the honour of sailing him from Goa to Bombay!
We anchored overnight in Devgad to give Sir Robin a taste of local coastal flavours…he’s a foodie and partial to spicy Indian curries!
In Bombay, the Royal Bombay Yacht Club hosted an interactive session with members of RBYC and other local sailing clubs. It was a fun and engaging session followed by some great music and a sumptuous dinner. Several more of our Antara crew joined us that evening.
An inspiring visit that lent fuel to the passion of many an Indian sailor. Come back soon Sir Robin!
If Sir Robin’s kindled that sailing itch - come on aboard and sail with us! And thanks for reading Antara’s Newsletter. Subscribe and stay connected!
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