For a decade, two schools have been battling on water. And for good reason – the love of sailing. The Bolgoda Lake is set to witness one of school sports’ youngest but fiercest rivalries – the 10th edition of the Royal-Thomian Sailing Regatta, where two of Sri Lanka’s most prominent schools will once again clash boats and sails on September 12 and 13.
Sponsored by North Technology Group for the 6th consecutive year, the regatta has grown into a much-anticipated fixture on the maritime calendar. “Manufacturing 95 percent of the world’s sails and rigging, it’s just natural that we support sailing in our country, especially the Roy-Tho encounter that set the stage for Sri Lanka school sailing,” said Hatem Rajabdeen, country director for North Sails.
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Since its debut in 2014, S. Thomas’ has dominated with six wins to Royal’s three, with Royal holding on to the trophy in the past two years.
This year, however, the race is tipped to be wide open, with both schools boasting evenly matched crews. The sailing circle predicts a photo-finish regatta where either side could walk away with the coveted Ranil Dias Memorial Trophy.
Both teams are evenly matched. Royal College is steered by their two strongest sailors, the Hazari brothers, captain Omar Hazari and vice-captain Yusef Hazari, who are both national champions and international sailors. Yusef holds the record of the youngest ever to win a national championship. On S. Thomas’s end, the talented sportsman McKyle Karunaratne who plays for the College first 15 rugby and under 20 basketball teams leads, with able vice-captain Nithik Senaratne at the helm.
Their ILCA and Optimist teams, both captains concede, are evenly split, which will result in a “fierce and interesting Roy-Tho,” according to Royal skipper Omar Hazari.
Thomian captain, Karunaratne agreed, “the chances are pretty equal this year.”
“It’s been an honour and pride to lead my team on the tenth year, and whatever the outcome, may the best team win.”
“We know S. Thomas’ will push us to the limit, and that’s exactly the kind of challenge we thrive on,” said Hazari. “I believe in my team, and every race will be a test of strategy and skill. It’s going to be a thrilling regatta.”
Despite the fierce rivalry on water, Royal-Thomian sailing is regarded as one of the closest-knit sporting fraternities in Sri Lanka sports, rich in tradition and camaraderie.
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“It’s the culture at sailing. We practice on the same day, at the same venue, and the Royalists and Thomians race as one team at international events,” said Royal vice-captain Yusef Hazari. “We don’t even look at ourselves as two teams until the regatta approaches, we’re just one big family.”
His Thomian counterpart, Karunaratne, who is also a member of the college rowing team echoed the sentiment. “Compared to other Roy–Tho sports, the bond in sailing is stronger. It’s a tradition passed down by senior sailors, and I hope it continues.”
Former sailing Olympian Lalin Jiasinha, and the national sailing body secretary Devin Goonewardena will act as principle race officers for the ILCA and Optimist boat classes respectively.
At a Glance: Royal–Thomian Sailing Regatta
- First held: 2014
- Edition: 10th
- Venue: Bolgoda Lake
- Dates: September 12–13, 2025
- Defending champions: Royal College
- Trophy – Ranil Dias Memorial Trophy
- Most titles: S. Thomas’ – 6 wins
- Sponsor: Future Fibres
- Boat Classes : ILCA 6 and Optimist class
- Races: Day 1 – Individual races
Day 2 – Team races – total points deciding the overall winner
