22 Asia-Pacific Boating March/April 2015 Asia-Pacific Boating March/April 2015 23I had been a national athlete in my secondary
school and joined the National Cadet Corp-
Navy in the year 2006, when I moved to Mumbai
for my higher education. To initiate the fi rst
steps towards sailing were the most diffi cult,
which I overcame the day I took my batch mates
on a boat and gave it a push. Th is defi ning push
ignited my passion to learn about and race every
category of boat available in India. With time, I
decided to form a women’s team and participate
in competitions. It was incredibly diffi cult but
never impossible. One of the challenges was to
arrange for boats in the fi rst place as the clubs
hardly owned any boats while the reaming ones
were leased by the defence.
Th ankfully, things have improved vastly
since then, with opportunities for prospective
sailors on the rise. I have fi rmly believed in
the importance of racing to inculcate the
art of sailing- with most number of sailors
coming from competitive backgrounds of
the Indian Navy and Army. Sometimes I
could not see myself through till the end in
certain championships, which I grabbed as achance to learn by observing races of seniors from the umpire boats. Th ere is no greater teacher
than observation, and that is exactly how I developed my sailing skills. I had no other coach
other than Sports Authority of India who hired an international coach for my team to train at an
advanced level of racing.A man’s world?
Growing up in patriarchal India has not posed as a hindrance to my growth as an athlete, thanks to
the overwhelming encouragement of my parents. I have trained more than 50 women in India to
ably compete in match racing. I wish to uphold the ideals of women empowerment as advocated by
my family. I belong to the popular city of sports Kolhapur, where I grew up as a strong, independent
individual; qualities which helped me grow and be successful in the predominantly male sport of
sailing. My parents have been my greatest strength; especially my mother, who has been my guiding
and motivating spirit and continually urged me to pursue my dreams. My friends and relatives have
been equally supportive and have always appreciated my hard work and determination. Gender roleshave never unnerved me. I kept a positive frame of mind and worked purposefully to make a
mark in male-centric sailing. I have never been concerned with gender bias, as the household I
grew up in, made every attempt to keep me from being tagged as the ‘weaker’ sex. Unfortunately
certain sections of India still undermine a woman’s ability and take her for granted. It has been
my parents’ teaching and education that has helped me to brave such odds of gender inequality.Tokens of appreciation
I formed my own team in 2008, within six months of which I managed to reach the top ranks
of women participating in match races. Th e race of the Indian team against the German
team has been one of the highlights of my career. Germany being the host of the race,
cheered for their native team from all quarters. Th e Indian team emerged victorious despite
the challenges of temperature, wind and rain. Th is race tested my patience, willpower, and
energy to beat the opposition in their home ground. Back home in India my women’s team
has also held their own against Naval Offi cers and Asian Games medalists and even won a
Tolani race against multiple Olympic campaigners and Asian Games medalists at RBYC. Th e
Limca Book of National Record 2010 has been my most cherished award that keeps up my
perseverance for more hard work.
In 2010, I became the fi rst Indian Woman Yachting Association of India’s instructor.
I moved to the headquarters of Yachting organization i.e Th e International Sailing Federation,
Southampton and completed my Masters in Business Administration from Southampton
University alongside fi nishing my professional course in yachting from Th e Royal Yachting
Association to become a Yachts Master. I haven’t seen or head any female yachts master in India
before me, and pride myself in being the fi rst one to achieve so. My greatest asset, however, is
no formal award but the blessings and moral support of my family.“I HAVE TRAINED MORE THAN 50
WOMEN IN INDIA TO ABLY COMPETE IN
MATCH RACING. I WISH TO UPHOLD THE
IDEALS OF WOMEN EMPOWERMENT AS
ADVOCATED BY MY FAMILY.”
COVER STORY
Taramati MatiwadeWinning accoladesSailor.indd 22-23 07/03/15 12:58 pm