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'They’re away, crossing the great salt desert of Rann in India' .
So you thought that land and ice yachting took place only in Europe or America, maybe in the deserts of Australia? Think again. The Indian Army is right now on a five day land yacht adventure across the Great Rann of Kutch, the largest salt water desert in the world located in north western India.
The Rann covering an area of 18,000 sq kms is an extensive mudflat, salty and creaked inundated during monsoons. Its landscape is parched, desolate and desert like averaging 15m above sea level.
The barren and vast expanse of Rann though provides the ideal terrain for land yachting. However, lack of landmarks, local resources and the sandy terrain devoid of any vegetation pose adequate challenges for adventure seekers.
The expedition was flagged off by Brig Subhash Yadav, Commander Konark Air Defence Brigade this week from Kuarbet, Kutch, and will cover significant places in the sand desert of Kutch exploring various places like Dharmsala, Shaktibet while sailing all the way to Karimsahi and will conclude on Mar 25 covering a distance of approximately 112 kms.
A team of 26 trained soldiers from various units, led by Captain Abhinav Sharma are sailing the expedition. Land sailing works best in windy flat areas and races often take place on beaches, airfields & dry lake beds in desert regions, which make the Rann ideal for the purpose.
The expedition aims to promote the adventure sport and create awareness about the Indian Army in the rural areas of Gujarat as well as generate environmental awareness about the unique terrain and bio diversity of the Kutch region amongst the troops.
... and they'll have a bag of fun, leading the way on land, as they do on water, in the Indian leisure sailing stakes."
by Lee Mylchreest
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