Online edition of Sunday Observer

The 16-year-old Uvini Atapattu, captain of Musaeus College was the 'star' of the annual Ladies-Musaeus Regatta held on the Beira Waters last Saturday. In the only all women's regatta in the local rowing calendar, Uvini made her intentions clear by winning the first race of the day the - 'A' Sculls and then went on to win the 'A' Pairs partnering Hiroshi Goonewardena.

Uvini Atapattu, the ‘star’ of Musaeus College who was responsible for Musaeus winning the dual Regatta against Ladies College. Here she relaxes after winning the ‘A’ Sculls ‘clocking’ 5.57 secs.

Then came the all important race of the day, the Boat Race at Bow, combining with Sachitra Jayatileka, Hiroshi Goonawardena, Naduni Perera coxed by Menaka Kohona.

Uvini, having a hand in winning all three major events ensured Musaeus College reversed the fortunes of last year to take back the Marie Musaeus Higgings Challenge Trophy with some power rowing in front of a large gathering supporting her efforts.

Musaeus College had earlier been dominating the women's rowing scene over the past several years. However, last year saw their dominance broken by Ladies College who won the National Championships and the LC/MC Regatta in 2004, inflicting a whitewash on their formidable rivals.

These setbacks forced Musaeus girls to train hard and under the young captains who guided the squad with good team work. Their revival, though a bit slow at the start, steadily gathered momentum with the young crew she was leading.

Success came their way again with Uvini's mature display in winning the 2 km Bolgoda Sculling Regatta in June where she beat three finalists of Ladies College. The event was successfully conducted by the University of Moratuwa at the venue for Rowing for next year's South Asian Games.

At the Rowing Nationals in August, Uvini bagged the Schoolgirl Sculler' award with ease. Uvini started rowing at the young age of 13 and it appears that rowing is in her blood.

In her family, her sister Nilangani rowed for Musaeus College, brother Nilanka and father Aninda for S. Thomas' College.

Musaeus College rowing owes much to their coach and mentor Ajith Goonawardena, a former Thomian and National rower who was also one-time national rowing coach who has been a tower of strength from the inception of rowing of Musaeus College.

Uvini's ambition now is to represent Sri Lanka at the South Asian Games in 2006.