Mumbai: The Western Fleet Whaler Pulling Regatta’, which brings to the fore sportsmanship, physical strength, team work and esprit-de-corps amongst officers and sailors, is an well contested annual event, culminated today. Attending the regatta for the last time, INS Viraat, won the coveted ‘Cock Trophy’, for overall winner team, during the event. The winning ship will be called the Cock Ship till the next regatta. In a very keenly contested competition, INS Vikramaditya emerged runners-up.

Vice Admiral SPS Cheema, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, presided over the Finals as the Chief Guest and also gave away the prizes to the winners. In his address on completion of the event, Vice Admiral S P S Cheema, complimented the teams for tremendous display of sportsman spirit, technique and josh, and reminded them that pulling together is ingrained in the ethos of Navy. Rear Admiral Ravneet Singh, Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet along with other senior naval officers, also attended the annual event. The heats of the event were conducted on the 22 Dec while the finals were conducted today at the Naval Harbour, Mumbai. 16 teams competed in three categories i.e. officers, senior sailors and junior sailors.

The ‘Whaler’ is a 27 feet long boat that is rowed by five men called ‘pullers’ using 15 to 17 feet long oars. For the sea going fraternity, there is no greater competitive sporting event than the pulling regatta. This annual competition brings out the best in the mariners and all ships participate with unparalleled spirit and enthusiasm in this big event. The teams practice hard for several months prior to the regatta. The race covering a distance of 1.3 km, calls for team work and is a test of physical and mental strength of each individual puller. The pulling regatta highlights the ship’s company’s determination, strength, coordination and the will to fight for victory.

Mumbai is home to the Western Fleet of the Indian Navy, also called the navy’s sword arm signifying the strength and importance of the Western Fleet in India’s national security setup.