The 2024 Paris Olympics has been a challenging journey for Indian sailors Vishnu Saravanan and Nethra Kumanan. Despite their best efforts and previous successes, both athletes fell short of qualifying for the medal races in their respective dinghy sailing events.
Vishnu Saravanan’s Performance
Vishnu Saravanan, competing in the Men’s Dinghy (ILCA 7) event, faced tough competition and unpredictable weather conditions. Over the course of the eight scheduled races, Vishnu’s performance was a mix of highs and lows.
Vishnu ended the series with an overall 18th-place finish, accumulating 114 net points. This ranking was not sufficient to secure a spot in the top 10, which was required to advance to the medal race.
Nethra Kumanan’s Performance
Nethra Kumanan, competing in the Women’s Dinghy (ILCA 6) event, also faced a series of challenges. Nethra’s overall ranking was 21st with 155 net points. Similar to Vishnu, she did not make it to the top 10 required for the medal race.
Several factors contributed to the outcomes for both sailors. Inclement weather played a significant role, leading to the cancellation of some races and affecting the sailors’ performances.
The level of competition at the Olympics is exceptionally high, with the world’s best sailors vying for the top spots. Both Vishnu and Nethra faced formidable opponents.
While both sailors had moments of brilliance, maintaining consistent top finishes proved challenging. The scoring system in sailing, which awards lower points for higher finishes, emphasizes the need for consistent performance across all races.
🇮🇳 Result Update: India Men's ILCA 7 & Women's Sailing Dinghy ILCA 6👇
Vishnu Saravanan and Nethra Kumanan's #ParisOlympics2024 campaign comes to an end.
Vishnu and Nethra's races were cancelled due to unfavourable weather conditions. Vishnu was supposed to compete in Race 9… pic.twitter.com/Otsj31UP8Y
— SAI Media (@Media_SAI) August 5, 2024
Despite not qualifying for the medal races, both Vishnu and Nethra have shown remarkable resilience and skill. Vishnu’s earlier achievements, such as winning gold at the Europa Cup 2024 in Mallorca, Spain, highlight his potential and promise for future competitions.
For Nethra, this was her second consecutive Olympics, and her experience and performance improvements are commendable. Her qualification for the Paris Olympics after a strong showing at the Last Chance Regatta in the ILCA 6 category underscores her capabilities.
