The 2025 Royal-Thomian Sailing Regatta concluded in dramatic fashion over the weekend, with S. Thomas’ College edging out Royal College after two days of fiercely contested races on the waters of the Bolgoda Lake.
The much-anticipated annual event, featuring Optimist and Laser class competitions, came down to the very last race of the Laser ‘A’ category, where the Thomians sealed their triumph through sheer grit and determination.
The Regatta opened on Friday with individual events in the Optimist and Laser categories. Both schools displayed equal strength, finishing the day evenly poised. The Thomians, however, dominated the podium in the Optimist class, with Haren Wickramatillake (STC) clinching first place, followed by Binal Perera (RC) and Akiane Ubayasiri (STC) in second and third.
Shem Fernando and Dhiren Perera too of STC managed to secure 4th and 5th places. The Laser individual races were won by the Royalists, with Yusuf Hazari, Minuga Hettigamage and Kevan De Costa securing first, second and third places respectively.
Saturday’s team events heightened the tension as both schools continued to battle neck and neck. The Optimist ‘B’ team of S. Thomas’, comprising Shem Fernando, Athitha Balamurugan, Genura Fernando, and Randil Fernando, sailed strongly to claim crucial points. The Thomian Opti ‘A’ team, although favourites, went down in a fiercely contested battle where Royal barely managed to scrape through, forcing the Thomians to reassess their strategy for the Laser team races.
The winning Royal Opti ‘A’ team comprised of Binal Perera, Luqmaan Aneeq, Vonal Boteju, and Ruwaneka Rajapaksa. The Royal Laser ‘B’ team of Chevinda De Mel, Sanditha Gamage, Minuga Hettigamage, and Muazzam Imtiaz also fought hard, keeping the competition finely balanced heading into the decisive Laser ‘A’ showdown.
The Laser ‘A’ event, a best-of-three series, became the defining moment of the regatta. The Thomians struck first, winning the opening race, but Royal responded strongly to take the second, setting up a nail-biting decider. With tactical brilliance, composure, and the signature Thomian grit, the Mount Lavinia crew rose to the challenge.
In the final race, Nithik Senaratne outmanoeuvred the leading Royalists, forcing them into penalties that swung momentum towards S. Thomas’. Backed by skipper McKyle Karunaratne, Vinuk Senaratne, and Shevon Ponniah, the Thomians held their nerve under immense pressure to surge ahead and clinch the overall title.
This victory was not just about tactics; it was about Thomian grit, the refusal to concede, the courage to fight back against the odds, and the ability to deliver under pressure. Under the leadership of captain McKyle Karunaratne and vice-captain Nithik Senaratne, the squad including Vinuk Senaratne, Shevon Ponniah, Ranesh Wickramatillake, Sahale Ahangama, Riveen Perera and Mithila Godevithanage embodied that spirit to the fullest.
The Optimist squad also showcased depth and resilience, with Haren Wickramatillake, Akiane Ubayasiri, Shem Fernando, Dhiren Perera, Matheesha Pathirana, Randil Fernando, Athitha Balamurugan, Anuruth Tennakoon, Joash Peiris, Dilen Walpitagamage and a few promising freshers pointing to a bright future for Thomian sailing.
Behind the scenes, head coach Nijaya Dimal, assistant coach Shashenka Fernando and teacher in charge Ms Lakni Shanika worked tirelessly, instilling the discipline, resilience, and never-give-up mentality that ultimately carried S. Thomas’ to victory.
The 2025 Regatta not only underscored the fierce rivalry between Royal and S. Thomas’ but also highlighted the rising profile of sailing in Sri Lanka. For the Thomians, this victory was a true testament to teamwork, strategy, and above all, the enduring grit that has long defined their sporting legacy. They brought the trophy back to Mount Lavinia after a lapse of two years.
Special thanks go to the management and staff of the Ceylon Motor Yacht Club and to sponsors Future Fibre and North Sails, whose support continues to strengthen the Roy-Tho sailing tradition.
