27th January : At 12.30 pm the National Competition was flagged off in a traditional way by hoisting the flag by the Race Officer, Mr. Joe Nejedly of Praga Marine. 57 participants from 10 different Associations from various States participated. Three races were run out of 8 planned for the entire Championship.The 1^st race was very slow due to less wind. The second and third races were remarkable as the wind picked up to about 8 nautical miles. 15 children trained by KYA participated in this competition

1st place - Ms. Rufus Patrick
2nd Place - Ms. Praveen Prabhaker

28th January : The second day races of the SBI National Inland Optimist Championship culminated with excitement to all participants and officials. The result for the day is as follows;

 1^st place - Praveen TNSA
2^nd place - Rufus Patrick TNSA
3^rd place - Aman NSS Bhopal

 Maharaja of Travancore, H. H. Uthradam Thirunal Marthanda varma Maharaja visited Cherai to inspire the children participating in the SBI National Inland Optimist ChampionshipAccording to him Kerala backwaters is one of the best backwaters available in the country and the most suitable place is Cherai.  He also advised the Panchayath authorities to promote the sports and prepare the children for international competition. Maharaja inaugurated a water sports providing the facility for yachting from Cherai by handing over the flag to Mr. Punnose P Elias, Joint Secretary.  

Seven International participants also participated today’s race. 2 more races will be run tomorrow being the final day which will make 8 races in total. The aggregate of the 8 races is taken to select the winners of the National championship.

29th January : The SBI National Optimist Championship which is the national sailing competition for young sailors of the country concluded on the 29^th of Jan 2009 with a grand function at the race venue. It was a credible feet for Kerala Yachting Association who were the hosts that all 8 races conducted concluded without a single protest. 58 participants from 9 Associations participated in the Regatta from different parts of the country.   

The position at the final tally for the over all prizes is;

1. Master Rufus Patrick, TNSA Chennai
2. Master Praveen Prabhakar, TNSA Chennai
3. Master Aman Vyas, NSS Bhopal

The position for the girls category is;

1. Miss. R Niveditha
2. Miss. Sidra Sabir

 The six month experienced young sailors from Kerala raced against the much experience national sailors and got commendable positions of 19, 20 and 22. These positions held be Master Abjith Pillai, Master Manu Francis and Master K N Price respectively.

 Dignitaries present were

• The Chief guest - Hon. Minister of Kerala for Forest and Environment Shri Binoy Viswam
• Executive Vice President of National Optimist Association of India, Col. Alok Bajpai
• Ex minister of Sports Shri Domenic Presentation

The Minister assured that sporting events like this will be supported in a big way by the government. He assured that Kerala having so much of backwater facility should develop traditional method of transportation like wind sailed water transport and all support will be given by the state. He also added that as wind powered boats are having no running costs shall be encouraged whole heartedly.

 The prizes were given away by the chief guest at the race venue next to Poiga in Cherai. The beauty of Cherai venue was much appreciated by all the visiting participants and the guests.

 The main sponsors State Bank of India was represented by Mr. V Raghunath, Ass. General Manager of State Bank of India

 Vote of thanks was given Shri Punnose P Elias, Joint Secretary, Kerala Yachting Association and the meeting concluded with a Dinner at Baywatch Cherai.