: In its last outgoing at the major sports championship, INS Viraat pipped INS Vikramaditya to win the coveted ‘Cock Trophy’ at the annual Western Fleet Whaler Pulling Regatta’ which ended on Saturday.
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 a well contested annual event. In a very keenly contested competition, INS Vikramaditya emerged runners-up.
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 practise 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,” a defence spokesperson said.
Having won the “‘cock trophy” at the annual regatta, INS Viraat will be known as the Cock Ship till the next year’s championship.